Earth ADU
Santa Barbara , CA
In order to maintain a clear view out to the trees from the main house, the new ADU was buried into the grade one level below. The planted roof and reflecting glass skylight create a seamless visual field from the main house looking out. The sun is collected by the sculptural central courtyard void which divides the living space from the gallery. The subterranean space is designed as a combination of art gallery, guest apartment, music rehearsal space, and fire bunker.
This project continues the California lineage of light and space exploration, via subtraction of mass, carving space to shape light, shadow, and experience.
Concept Design Phase
/DESIGN PHASE
/TECOLOTE CANYON
ARCHITECTURE:ADU + ART SPACE
/TOTAL DESIGN
ARCHITECTURE: TOTAL DESIGN. MAIN HOUSE, ADU, SITE, INTERIOR
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Pueblo Via
Santa Barbara , CA
Pueblo Via is a total work of architecture. Designed as a cohesive whole, the project orchestrates a site-wide experience defined by spatial carving, tectonic precision, and immersive landscape integration.
The home replaces a previous structure with a series of interlocking concrete volumes and lifted roof planes. The architecture unfolds as a procession of spaces, a sequence shaped by mass subtraction, light modulation, and compositional rigor. The “Canyon of Light,” a linear courtyard that bisects the primary volume, organizes circulation, daylight, and views. Stepped rooflines and angled walls create a dynamic cross section that captures sky and shadow across the day.
Interior volumes are wrapped in Douglas fir plywood, offering tactile warmth and acoustic softness in contrast to the mass of the structure. Skylights and sliding glass panels dissolve thresholds, allowing light and landscape in. A garden of native and edible plantings, and a continuous sandstone pathway lead between and around the structures and connect a series of interior and exterior moments into a unified grand experience of space and light.
/DESIGN PHASE
/TOTAL DESIGN
ARCHITECTURE: TOTAL DESIGN. MAIN HOUSE, ADU, SITE, INTERIOR![]()
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Carpinteria Beach House
Carpinteria, CA
Remodel of 1970s home in a modern coastal vernacular, with new design decisions being made in alignment with the original design intent, updated for the future. Architectural improvments to the interior and site create a greater connection from the home to the legendary surf break. The angled and volumetric interior interventions are anchored on both ends of the site by new redwood decks, steps, and benches, which act to reinforce the project organziation and provide an enhanced continuity between the indoor and outdoor environments.
/UNDER CONSTRUCTION
/ ARCHITECTURE, DRAWINGS, DESIGN
/ TEAM:
ARCHITECTURE : SCHWALLER STUDIO
DESIGN : SCHWALLER STUDIO / DAVID CAMERON STUDIO
GC: ICB
ARCHITECTURE: REMODEL
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Cottage House
Montecito, CA
An existing cottage guesthouse structure is updated as a new ADU, with a new large unifying deck with views out over the main house to the ocean.
The new deck and approach steps directly connect from the home down into the garden site . Though the existing cottage has multiple floor levels, the new large deck space and streamlined interior design expression act to connect them into a stepped series of spaces, of utility and tranquility in the garden site.
/TEAM:
ARCHITECTURE: SCHWALLER STUDIO
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: ICB
STRUCTURAL: KFSE, GFE
INTERIORS: DAVID CAMERON STUDIO
ARCHITECTURE: REMODEL , NEW DECK + LANDSCAPE
AMD ADU
As a conversion of a typical residential 20’x20’ garage, the new ADU is organized in four quadrants, each with a central skylight. The constructed cabinetry elements at the center of the space encourage a natural circular circulation in either direction, maintaing a notion of the larger great room of space while providing the discrete functions of sleeping, kitchen, bath, and living room, all facing out to the North courtyard and mountain views beyond. Pocketing doors and recessed drapery allow for a flexible and open space.
/UNDER CONSTRUCTION
/SANTA BARBARA - LA CUMBRE
ARCHITECTURE: ADU CONVERSION
