Located in the foothills of Santa Barbara California, the project site is perched over the city affording sweeping 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean and the City of Santa Barbara to the south, and the Los Padres mountains to the north. The primary program directive for this residence was to achieve the owners’ desire for seamless indoor-outdoor living, as well as an architectural design that is an expression of their vision of the quintessential “California contemporary lifestyle.” The resulting design solution takes the form of a simple, sweeping, inclined, radial arc in direct response to the site context and expansive views. Exposed cast-in-place structural concrete walls support a broad cantilevered zinc-clad roof structure. The walls are placed at the building interior, parallel with the mountain and ocean views, in order to minimize opaque structure. The glazed building perimeter with expansive operable openings enhances the indoor-outdoor relationship and optimizes the dramatic views. The residence is designed to be sustainable and very energy efficient. Green building design elements including high performance glazing, extended south overhangs, solar thermal hydronic and PV arrays, and a green roof exceeded the California Energy Compliance performance standards by 49% at the time of project completion.

Rooms 3 Bed / 4 Bath
Square Feet 5,203 sf (Residence) 739 (Garage)

Green Features:
- Exceeds CA Energy compliance standards by more than 49%
- High Performance Glazing
- Extended south overhangs
- Solar thermal hydronic and PV arrays
- Expansive green roof

See all photos in project: Kurth Residence
Architect: Neumann Mendro Andrulaitis Architects
Photography: Ciro Coelho Photography