Project: Carmel Highlands House
Architects: Studio Schicketanz
Location: Carmel Highlands, California
Photographer: Robert Canfield
Set into the dramatic landscape of Carmel Highlands, the Carmel Highlands House by Studio Schicketanz uses bold geometric blocks in varying scales and materials to create a harmonious dialogue between architecture and nature. Positioned to overlook the Bay and Point Lobos, the home takes full advantage of uninterrupted ocean views, with interior spaces carefully oriented toward the horizon.
Integrating the House Into the Hillside
The design responds to the site’s steep terrain by embedding much of the structure into the hillside. This approach minimizes the home’s visual impact while grounding it in the surrounding environment. More than half of the Carmel Highlands House is recessed into the slope, allowing for a rare flat lawn—an uncommon feature in this area—while also enhancing privacy and wind protection.
Optimizing Views and Light
The architects carefully balanced ocean views to the north with optimal solar exposure to the south. By terracing the site, they created a natural base for a cantilevered, multidimensional living space that appears to float above the landscape. This design maximizes daylight, cross-ventilation, and panoramic sightlines from nearly every room.
A Seamless Connection Between Land and Architecture
Flat roofs are planted with vegetation, further blurring the line between the built form and the natural hillside. This green roofing strategy not only integrates the home visually into its surroundings but also improves insulation and reduces stormwater runoff. The result is a residence that feels like an organic extension of the terrain while offering modern comfort and style.
