Coastal Architecture and Interiors that Celebrate All Things California

Coastal Architecture and Interiors that Celebrate All Things California / Studio Schicketanz
Tehama 2: Located on a seven-acre parcel, the net-zero residence, which is at once modern and rustic, is thoughtfully sited on an open meadow with a gentle slope. Photo credit: Tim Griffith Photography

California Coastal Architecture and Interiors
Architects: Studio Schicketanz
Location: Carmel-by-the-Sea, United States
Year 2020
Photography: Tim Griffith, Joe Fletcher, Bob Canfield

As one of the Central Coast’s leading architecture and interior design firms, Studio Schicketanz is sought after for its sensitive approach to the landscape, sustainable architecture techniques, and sophisticated yet comfortable interiors.

Coastal Architecture and Interiors that Celebrate All Things California / Studio Schicketanz
Scenic Drive: Looking through the first floor level, you can see onto the patio and the views beyond. Photo credit: Joe Fletcher Photography

For founder Mary Ann Schicketanz, AIA, Carmel, and the surrounding Big Sur and Monterey region, has been a source of endless inspiration since she first arrived from Austria more than 30 years ago. It has led to a career-long investigation into the relationship between landscape, building materials, form, and nature. She considers the natural beauty of the coastal region a muse—everything from its Cypress trees and dune grasses to the ever-present ocean—all of which define her signature palettes and materials.

Coastal Architecture and Interiors that Celebrate All Things California / Studio Schicketanz
Tehama 1: “Light is at play everywhere, from the dappled light that hits the stone wall to the reflection of the majestic neighbouring tree in the house’s expansive glass facade,” says Mary Ann Schicketanz. Photo credit: Joe Fletcher Photography

“In our work, we seek to do justice to the land, our clients, and our own architectural ambitions,” says Schicketanz. The firm brings this ethos to its wide-ranging portfolio, no matter a project’s location. To date, their California work spans the entire coastline—from Laguna Beach to northern Marin—and they have also completed projects across the Western United States, everywhere from Hawaii to Texas, and Europe.

Coastal Architecture and Interiors that Celebrate All Things California / Studio Schicketanz
Lobos Views: The living room flows gently into the dining area, where the Dakota Jackson Monaco table and Puff chairs hold center stage, before opening onto the sleek, state-of-the-art kitchen. Photo credit: Bob Canfield Photography

TEHAMA 2 – Located in Clint Eastwood’s coveted Carmel Valley Tehama community, this net zero residence celebrates the land, coastal architecture and interiors, sustainability and the power of architecture to make us feel safe. The virgin site was a gentle sloping meadow, located at the edge of a mixed forest that features a signature — and compelling — oak tree. While fundamentally wanting a contemporary design, the clients loved the traditional agricultural architecture of the Valley, as well as the indoor/outdoor lifestyle the region’s warm climate allows. In reference and homage to the local vernacular, Studio Schicketanz used simple shapes made of local stone, traditional board and batt siding, and metal roofing.

Coastal Architecture and Interiors that Celebrate All Things California / Studio Schicketanz
Tehama 2: The low maintenance design allows for seamless indoor-outdoor living. External, ground mounted solar panels generate additional energy for the net-zero home. Photo credit: Tim Griffith Photography
Coastal Architecture and Interiors that Celebrate All Things California / Studio Schicketanz
Tehama 2: The interior concrete flooring extends to the exterior porch, while the ceiling is paneled in reclaimed barn-wood siding and the asymmetrical trusses are Douglas fir. The result is a low-maintenance home that doesn’t require the need for air conditioning. Photo credit: Tim Griffith Photography
Coastal Architecture and Interiors that Celebrate All Things California / Studio Schicketanz
Tehama 2: The deep porch, lined by glass sliders, help regulate the western wind. Photo credit: Tim Griffith Photography

SCENIC DRIVE – Studio Schicketanz rebuilt the entire ocean frontage of this residence without increasing square footage for a client with a longstanding passion for the region’s natural beauty. By creating a terraced roof design to maximize views, the southern half of the residence now accommodates a master suite adjacent to a living, green roof. On both levels, the design’s prominent trellises filter light while giving foreground to the architecture. Inside, the home’s soft palettes are reflected in the delicate white oak floors and locally sourced stone that was hand-selected for the in-home, pizza oven. A Christopher Peacock kitchen and custom marble pieces, carved from a solid marble block, further ground the elegance of the open-plan space.

Coastal Architecture and Interiors that Celebrate All Things California / Studio Schicketanz
Scenic Drive: The native landscape surrounding the residence provided the primary inspiration. Photo credit: Joe Fletcher Photography
Coastal Architecture and Interiors that Celebrate All Things California / Studio Schicketanz
Scenic Drive: Rich interior accents provide grounding elements in the light-filled great room. Photo credit: Joe Fletcher Photography
Coastal Architecture and Interiors that Celebrate All Things California / Studio Schicketanz
Scenic Drive: The kitchen is outfitted with cabinetry by Christopher Peacock, a Carrara marble backsplash and counters, and a bronze hood and cabinet hardware, all of which work seamlessly to offer subtle contrast. Photo credit: Joe Fletcher Photography
Coastal Architecture and Interiors that Celebrate All Things California / Studio Schicketanz
Scenic Drive: The kitchen offers sight lines to the main living areas. Photo credit: Joe Fletcher Photography

TEHAMA 1 – Studio Schicketanz organized the design of this house around a central cleared knoll, prioritizing outdoor space with a deep exploration for the ways a structure can merge with a specific ecology. Textured stone walls give rise to controlled cement steps that lead to a crisply modernist structure. Detailed geometric framing and a cantilevered roof create a shaded trellis that wraps the structure. Light is at play everywhere, from the dappled light that hits the stone walls to the reflection of the majestic neighboring tree along the house’s expansive glass façade. The result is a uniquely vernacular modern architecture.

Coastal Architecture and Interiors that Celebrate All Things California / Studio Schicketanz
Tehama 1: The front door is accessed via concrete stairs that ascend the gently sloping site. The home’s entryway is enclosed in floor-to-ceiling glass. Photo credit: Joe Fletcher Photography
kitchen / Studio Schicketanz
Tehama 1: Throughout the home, the architects used a neutral colour palette to create a feeling of calmness and connection to the earth. Photo credit: Joe Fletcher Photography
dining room / Studio Schicketanz
Tehama 1: The ceilings are sheathed in warm-hued fir, which provides a contrast to the structural metal beams that traverse the space. Reclaimed teak was used for the flooring. Photo credit: Joe Fletcher Photography
Coastal Architecture and Interiors that Celebrate All Things California / Studio Schicketanz
Tehama 1: “Indoor and outdoor spaces flow seamlessly together through the barest hint of doorways and enclosure,” say Mary Ann Schicketanz. Photo credit: Joe Fletcher Photography
outdoor, patio / Studio Schicketanz
Tehama 1: The single-story residence consists of the primary residence and a guest house, both of which are positioned around a rectangular courtyard with a large stone fireplace. Photo credit: Joe Fletcher Photography

LOBOS VIEWS – This stunningly modern Carmel Highlands residence overlooks the Monterey Bay and Point Lobos to the north. The 6,414 square foot home is constructed of stone and exposed wood, giving it an earthy feel as well as the effect of being nestled into the hillside. Studio Schicketanz mitigated the visual impact of the home from above by densely planting each of the exposed roof decks with the help of a local biologist and horticulturist. Once inside, the main living space features a sophisticated series of rooms with an open floor plan. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto a large patio that takes advantage of the spectacular ocean views.

Coastal Architecture and Interiors that Celebrate All Things California / Studio Schicketanz
Lobos Views: With its dramatic perch overlooking Monterey Bay and Point Lobos, the residence’s natural materials of stone and exposed wood make it appear one with the hillside. Photo credit: Bob Canfield Photography
studio / Studio Schicketanz
Lobos Views: In the living room, the B&B Italia sofas are complemented by a custom rug by Edward Fields, an original Milo Baughman rocker reupholstered in Larsen fabric, and a Guy Lefevre Cocktail Table, circa 1970s. Photo credit: Bob Canfield Photography
bedroom / Studio Schicketanz
Lobos Views: The interior design also by Studio Schicketanz mirrors the natural terrain by utilizing a color palette of soft greys and subtle beiges and browns. Photo credit: Bob Canfield Photography

About Studio Schicketanz 
Studio Schicketanz is a full-service architecture, interior design, and consultancy firm based in Carmel, California, and sought after for its ability to weave together deeply philosophical approaches to landscape, architecture, and interior design with a focused emphasis on livability. Originally from Austria, founder Mary Ann Schicketanz – a practicing architect for more than two decades, with a portfolio spanning the Western United States and Europe – is known for creating designs that offer classic simplicity and natural elegance. Mary Ann is the AIA Monterey Bay President and serves on the Board of the Philip Glass Center.

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