Landscaping

The home is located on a steep site in Los Angeles’s Montecito Heights neighborhood. Designed by LA-based, female-led firm Claret-Cup, one standout feature is the custom folding stair hatch that can toggle between appearing as an extension of the railing or, when folded down, it becomes an extended portion of the living room floor.

“The breezeway is covered, but it opens on one side to the driveway, and it’s completely open at the other end to the pool and the rest of the property,” says Workshop/APD associate principal Tyler Marshall. “So you walk through and experience this incredible view.”

Upon entry, the view expands to highlight the pool, wildflower meadow, and surrounding vegetation.

Architects Nicolás Tovo and Teresa Sarmiento designed their glass-encased vacation home for a site in Patagonia, a two-hour flight from their studio in Buenos Aires. Nicolás calls it “a magical enclave” overlooking Nahuel Huapi Lake. “It’s a panoramic viewpoint where we can watch what happens,” adds Teresa.

“I skewed the plan so that my house is oriented to the meadow and the creek, and they’re oriented to the meadow and the mountain,” Schicketanz says.

Yakisugi siding and site-built details enhance the $1.05 million modular package.

The house was designed around two mature crepe myrtle trees, signifying the home's focus on sustainability and dialogue with the landscape.

New York-based firm Khanna Schultz built a net-positive home in the Hamptons inspired by Japanese design.