As seasoned industrial designers, Rick and Linda Lewis were confident they could solve for a beautiful yet steeply sloped Carmel Valley site that many potential buyers had dismissed due to the difficulty of conventional construction. The couple, who sold their Palo Alto home to finance a new contemporary dream home, found their answer in prefab design.

Not only could a factory-fabricated structure address the tricky topography with minimal grading, but it would also help them achieve their goal of building a sustainable forever home with an office for their design studio, seven02.

Inspired by Blue Sky Building Systems’ moment frames, the Lewises tapped the Southern Californian company to construct their home’s fire-resistant structure, and they collaborated with Andrew Goodwin Designs on the final structure.

“They came to us with many of their design ideas already chosen, and they had such a great design sense due to their work in the industry that they could clearly and quickly make decisions,” says Goodwin. “We expanded upon their vision to help site the home, detail the interiors, and expand upon the concept to make the home much more of a designed object.”

To avoid disturbing the dozens of old-growth oak trees, and to mitigate the site’s elevation change of 75-plus feet, the architects opted to lift the 2,330-square-foot home on a raised foundation. This measure avoided the need for to grade the site for a slab foundation—and it lifted the home into the tree canopy, ensuring spectacular valley views to the west, south, and east.

The architects also helped the clients achieve their goal of building a sustainable, off grid–capable home. In addition to solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems (which support fire suppression and irrigation needs), the house features recycled and renewable materials, and it’s designed for passive cooling and heating.

“The owners’ backgrounds as industrial designers informed a key element of the interior and exterior design” notes Goodwin. “They have collected many pieces of midcentury and contemporary furniture and appliances over the years. This home helps to exhibit those pieces.”

Due to the steel-framed home’s location in a wildfire-prone area, fireproofing became a design priority. Standing-seam metal wraps the roof and exterior walls, while fast-catching vegetation was cleared from the site.

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“This home is a culmination of design efforts—by them and us—to achieve a space where they can celebrate contemporary design,” says Goodwin.

Related Reading:

A Daring Home Clad in Shining Copper Armor Fends Off Natural Disasters

A Small “Hybrid Prefab” Home in the Desert

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Andrew Goodwin Designs / @agooddesign

Builder/General Contractor: KGM Construction

Structural Engineer: Dave Poland Engineering LLC

Civil Engineer: Bestor Engineers Inc

Homeowners: seven02

Lighting Design/Interior Design /Cabinetry Design/ Installation: Andrew Goodwin Design

Electrical: Modern Electric

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A Fire-Resistant Home on Tricky Terrain Taps Into the Power of Prefab