Nestled in the Pacific Palisades foothills, the Tramonto Residence is a contemporary single-family home which integrates the natural beauty of an adjacent state park.

The placement of the home captures vistas overlooking the canyon, the surrounding Santa Monica Mountains, and the California coastline meeting the Pacific Ocean.

Project Name: Tramonto Residence
Studio Name: Shubin Donaldson
Project size: 17000 ft2
Site size: 87120 ft2
Completion date: 2019
Building levels: 3
Location: Pacific Palisades, United States
Photography: Fernando Guerra

Tramonto Residence by Shubin Donaldson - Sheet1
Bedroom ©Fernando Guerra

The diffusion of the built form defines the approach for this 17,000 sqft home into the surrounding landscape. The two-acre site embraces steep topography and contends with the context to inform the building’s siting and orientation. Each portion of the home is terraced into the natural contours of the hillside, breaking up the overall building mass while using its sub-grade structure to reinforce the hillside.

Tramonto Residence by Shubin Donaldson - Sheet2
Exterior View ©Fernando Guerra

The program consists of two principal masses terracing with the natural contours of the site defined by a limited material palette of limestone, high-performance glazing, and dark ipe wood. Tramonto’s design appropriates two open terraces, one outward semi-public and another inward and private.

A feature stair triangulates the circulation around a reflecting pool leading to a mezzanine and bridge mirroring the sculpted assembly and balancing the dialogue with the building’s geometry.

Tramonto Residence by Shubin Donaldson - Sheet3
Exterior View ©Fernando Guerra

Tramonto Residence negotiates the challenging topography through defined massing and a natural, elegant material palette. The design of the residence exemplifies the principles of indoor/outdoor living afforded by embracing the temperate climate and natural beauty of the landscape and surrounding coastal bluffs.

Author

Rethinking The Future (RTF) is a Global Platform for Architecture and Design. RTF through more than 100 countries around the world provides an interactive platform of highest standard acknowledging the projects among creative and influential industry professionals.