The Hidden Fortress
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Photo by: Daniel Hennessy -
A gently winding set of exposed aggregate concrete pads leads to the Wabi House’s front door. Mariscal sought to “hide the house behind a dense forest front yard.” As the crape myrtles grow in, they will further filter the home’s facade.Photo by: Daniel Hennessy -
During construction, Mariscal’s team adjusted the design to accommodate the boughs of an old pine tree in the backyard. The unique detail imbues the home with a spirit of wabi-sabi—or beauty through imperfection.Photo by: Daniel Hennessy -
With doors open, Shino and Ken pull an Eames LCW chair for Herman Miller outside to enjoy the space.Photo by: Daniel Hennessy -
A perpendicular walkway leads right to the garage and laundry areas.Photo by: Daniel Hennessy -
After entering through the front door, visitors pass over the large koi pond on a cast-concrete footbridge chiseled to look like stone.Photo by: Daniel Hennessy -
The entrance to the living room includes a seating area where guests can remove their shoes.Photo by: Daniel Hennessy -
At the client’s request the kitchen contains neither upper cabinets (Shino can’t reach them) nor an oven (they only used the old one once—to reheat a pizza). A modular Roche Bobois Mah Jong sofa adds a decorative flourish to the living area while maintaining as low a profile as the traditional Japanese furniture.Photo by: Daniel Hennessy -
Protected by an overhang, and floating above ground level, this tertiary space is known in traditional homes as the "engawa." To sustain a unified look throughout, the floor and ceiling are clad in ipe wood.Photo by: Daniel Hennessy -
A custom-tailored mechanism allows six floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors to open along the entire width of the living space, creating a seamless transition from indoors to out.Photo by: Daniel Hennessy -
While most of the ground level is given over to the large open living and dining area, it also includes a small pantry, office, and Japanese bathroom. An integrated Sub-Zero refrigerator is almost unnoticeable behind its charred cedar cladding.Photo by: Daniel Hennessy -
In the cheerily outfitted office, a Herman Miller Embody chair lets Shino stay comfortable on business calls that can last for hours.Photo by: Daniel Hennessy -
At the opposite end of the house, the soaking tub gets almost daily use. The bath and shower fixtures are by DornbrachtPhoto by: Daniel Hennessy -
The limestone-clad volume at the east end of the house extends to the second story, housing Shino and Ken’s master suite, which opens onto the planted roof deck.Photo by: Daniel Hennessy -
The couple asked for a “no maintenance, not low maintenance” backyard. However, Shino tends to “Carlsbad's largest public bathroom for cats” (otherwise known as their Japanese-style rock garden) about once a month.Don't miss a word of Dwell! Download our FREE app from iTunes, friend us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter!
Photo by: Daniel Hennessy
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