Sweetwater Mesa Road, Malibu, CA

In the late summer and early fall months, the hills of Southern California are subject to extreme fire danger.  Malibu is no exception.  The Sweetwater Mesa home is located on the site of a home which was lost during one of the fires of the 1990’s.  Located directly above the world class surf spot known as Malibu Point, the site has extraordinary views.  These views extend  from the surf spot below and to the west,  to the Channel Islands and the Palos Verdes peninsula to the south, and finally to Santa Monica and the mountain ranges beyond downtown Los Angeles to the east. The coastline is visible the entire way.  Our constraint was that the design of the new building was required to follow the footprint of the burned out structure, and be, in general the same size.  The result is a home whose organization is dictated by a home designed in 1960, under significantly different lifestyle desires.  The home has a fully developed basement which is not subject to the size constraints. This level was developed to provide for a theater, gym and entertainment ‘nightclub’/ bar and wine room.  The ground level is developed with the Master Suite commanding the westerly view across the Malibu Point, and the living areas, which take advantage of the view of coastline across the bay to Santa Monica.  An existing pool was entirely reworked, and a guest house added. The selections of materials for the home are dominated by durable, natural materials of warm colors and tones; Santa Barbara sandstone, Jerusalem limestone, vertical grain Douglas Fir (for the ceilings) and copper roof and facias.  The undulating roof is formed to follow the uses it covers, with the Living room having the highest portion, and the bedrooms having lower portions for intimacy.  The home is simultaneously a modern statement and a warm elegantly natural home.