San Juan Capistrano, CA

This project actually began as a remodel/addition an of an old, tired, and structurally deficient Cape Cod styled home. It was quickly determined that it would be more cost efficient to tear down the house and start over. But because of the new planning and building envelope restrictions, we went through a series of public hearings that ultimately resulted in the rewriting of three code restrictions and the granting of two variances.

The site is nearly two acres, but because much of the backyard is at a lower elevation we built a large paved deck area that where the family spends much of their time outdoors. Below the deck is a large garage that is partially below grade.

The focal element of the two story entry is a curving staircase topped with a large fiberglass dome that is illuminated around its perimeter by changing fiber optic lighting.

While the house is grand in every sense of the word, the fineness of the architectural detailing and the design of smaller spaces within the whole allow a large house to be a very comfortable home.