Off-Grid Guest House | Central Coast, California

Glass peninsula

Located on one of California’s last remaining undeveloped coastal areas, this modern guest house resides on a wildlife preserve, exemplifying a successful balance of residential development and ecological preservation.

Landscape Integration

Nestled into a steep hillside, the 170m2 residence was designed for low visual and environmental impact on the surrounding landscape. Designed as a low-rise, single-story building with a green roof, the house invites panoramic 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean as well as the adjacent hills. Its most prominent design feature is a series of expansive decks that cantilever over the steep cliff, providing a direct view of the canyon below.

Morphology & Materials

In an effort to blur the line between the built and the unbuilt, the residence is designed as a “glass peninsula”, with three-way operable glass walls that seamlessly integrate the building into the landscape. The material palette is comprised of highly weather resistant materials such as steel, concrete and glass, while the custom furniture and fixtures are made of warm walnut wood.

Energy Performance

The residence is 100% powered by a photovoltaic energy system, due to its remote, off-grid location. LED lighting and low-usage appliances are selected to reduce energy demands, while a combination of radiant floor heating, cross ventilation and the highly insulated green roof regulate the interior temperature. Finally, a private well and a custom water treatment system are used to recycle rain and wastewater.