Modern Sustainability House, Big Sur, Californian Real Estate, CA home addition, USA architecture photos

Modern Sustainability House in Big Sur

February 11, 2022

Design: Studio Schicketanz

Location: Big Sur, California, USA

photo © Tim Griffith Photography

Modern Sustainability House, Big Sur

Modern Sustainability

By taking cues and inspiration from the surrounding landscape, Studio Schicketanz, led by Mary Ann Schicketanz, designed a breathtaking, sustainable home that literally blends into the hillside for a Silicon Valley-based family, their two daughters, and live-in parent, looking for a new lease on life.

photo © Joe Fletcher Photography

What was initially planned as a weekend getaway has, given the pandemic, turned into the ultimate quarantine escape, where they can enjoy the ocean front pool and views, a game room, a den, a large kitchen, and everything else that the special property has to offer.

photos © Joe Fletcher Photography

Schicketanz and her team appointed the home with the finest products and finishes, including, but not limited to, pieces from Coup D’etat, Holly Hunt, Larsen, Moooi, Piet Boon, Miele, Brizio, B&B Italia, Tai Ping, Phillip Jeffries, Giorgetti, Pindler, Restoration Hardware, and Concrete Works.

photo © Joe Fletcher Photography

The pool features petrified wood stumps by Leos Enderle and Rodney Hunter, while the sculptural artwork of Eric Gushee and Casey McCafferty, as well as pieces by Silvia Poloto, are found throughout the home. Each of the beds, ottomans, book cases, and media cabinets were custom designed.

photo © Joe Fletcher Photography

Material selections include local granite from Hollister, CA for the rock walls, integral plaster for the “cubes” placed in front of the rock walls, and Savannah Brown Duras flagstone to complement the wall stone and entry way connectors. The “shell” was kept in all neutral and earth tone colors, while the interior showcases accents of color from the custom blend mosaic walls and Venetian plaster accent walls.

photo © Tim Griffith Photography

In addition to the home’s luxe, high-end finishes and furnishings, and given its extreme location, the home is anticipated to achieve net zero due to power and hot water (for the pool) generation from solar panels and Tesla Power Walls, which will power the house when grid power is not available. The power produced onsite covers all of the power needs of the house, as well as charging for 2 EV vehicles.

photo © Joe Fletcher Photography

Modern Sustainability House in California, USA – Building Information

Design: Studio Schicketanz – http://www.studioschicketanz.com/

About Studio Schicketanz
Studio Schicketanz is a full-service architecture, interior design, and consultancy firm based in Carmel, California, and Bangalore, India. The firm is sought after for its ability to weave together deeply philosophical approaches to landscape, architecture, and interior design, with a focused emphasis on livability.

photo © Joe Fletcher Photography

Founder, Gabriele Mary Ann Schicketanz, has been a practicing architect for more than three decades, with a portfolio spanning the Western United States, as well as Europe. She is known for creating designs that offer classic simplicity and natural elegance.

photo © Tim Griffith Photography