Stone Villa in Santa Lucia Preserve, California by Feldman Architecture

May 24
2 min read

Tucked in the mountains of the Santa Lucia Preserve, a land trust between Carmel and Big Sur, the owners of this 28-acre property envisioned a retreat for family and friends. Seasoned travelers with a deep affection for the Tuscan countryside, they were drawn to its sun-soaked villas, stone craftsmanship, and enduring sense of place. Alongside our team, they set out to reinterpret these timeless sensibilities through a modern lens, all while grounding and shaping the home in the beauty of its natural surroundings.

Guided by early site and climate studies, the design arranges four detached stone structures to step with the contours of the land, reducing visual impact and restoring a hillside meadow previously overtaken by invasive growth. Sited within a one-acre ridge-top clearing, the structures—a living pavilion, owner’s suite and office, a pool cabana/guest suite, and a garage—are linked by pathways, gardens, and courtyards that foster meaningful indoor-outdoor connections. Breaking the home into smaller components minimized the project’s square footage, and therefore cost and carbon footprint, while allowing the buildings to rest lightly and gracefully on the narrow ridge.

Thick, solid granite walls anchor the pavilions to the site, while carefully carved openings frame valley views through the tree canopy. Deep overhangs and shaded recesses temper the sun, and breezeways between buildings capture prevailing winds. A tower and roof deck above the living pavilion lift residents into the treetops, offering panoramic views of the surrounding preserve.

Natural, warm materials further root the architecture to its setting. Local St. Helena Cottage stone, reclaimed teak, and drought-tolerant landscaping restore habitat and harmonize the project with its environment.

What began as inspiration drawn from Tuscany evolved into a modern translation—an understated and timeless retreat, carefully crafted and sensitively attuned to its site, where architecture, landscape, and lifestyle meld seamlessly.

Feldman Architecture team

Jonathan Feldman, FAIA, Project Principal

Ben Welty, Project Manager

Liza Karimova, Job Captain

Michael Trentacosti, Designer

Jeff Wheeler, Senior Technical Architect

Project Team

Architecture: Feldman Architecture

Landscape Architecture: Ground Studio Landscape Architecture

Builder: True Build Construction

Lighting Design: Tucci Lighting

Civil Engineer: Whitson Engineers