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Project posted by Susan Hartzler

Iconic Modernism by Barton Myers

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Location
Montecito, California
Year
2009
Structure
House (Single Residence)
Style
Industrial
Created from steel and glass, with emphasis on space and ground, light and shadow, this amazing representation of High-tech Modernism is innovative in its design, and nothing short of stunning. Featuring huge wall-size multi-pane doors that retract -- not horizontally, but vertically – and integrate with the home’s ceiling, opening entire rooms to the property's enchanting Zen-like gardens. There are large sliding glass doors as well, and expanses of clerestory windows.
Created from steel and glass, with emphasis on space and ground, light and shadow, this amazing representation of High-tech Modernism is innovative in its design, and nothing short of stunning. Featuring huge wall-size multi-pane doors that retract -- not horizontally, but vertically – and integrate with the home’s ceiling, opening entire rooms to the property's enchanting Zen-like gardens. There are large sliding glass doors as well, and expanses of clerestory windows.
In the main wing, a spectacular great room, with soaring 16 feet high ceiling, completely opens to an expansive terrace, through Myers' ingenious, glass walls, that, at the touch of a button, roll up out of sight. This seamless transition from inside out, day into night, is truly magical.
In the main wing, a spectacular great room, with soaring 16 feet high ceiling, completely opens to an expansive terrace, through Myers' ingenious, glass walls, that, at the touch of a button, roll up out of sight. This seamless transition from inside out, day into night, is truly magical.
“So, you have a really big great room, and you have three sets of doors like a garage where they fold back. There's 36 panes of windows in each one of those doors, [and] you can open them all the way up or you can have them any length that you want,” listing agent Cristal Clarke told Realtor.com for a feature story on the property.
“So, you have a really big great room, and you have three sets of doors like a garage where they fold back. There's 36 panes of windows in each one of those doors, [and] you can open them all the way up or you can have them any length that you want,” listing agent Cristal Clarke told Realtor.com for a feature story on the property.
While the structure itself is given dominance, emphasizing the engineering, the industry feel is softened by natural light, custom cabinetry and a muted, monochromatic palette throughout. “Even though you have really high ceilings and lots of glass, it's still very warm inside,” Clarke explains in the Realtor.com story. “Sometimes contemporary homes aren't. This one is. It's just pretty spectacular.”
While the structure itself is given dominance, emphasizing the engineering, the industry feel is softened by natural light, custom cabinetry and a muted, monochromatic palette throughout. “Even though you have really high ceilings and lots of glass, it's still very warm inside,” Clarke explains in the Realtor.com story. “Sometimes contemporary homes aren't. This one is. It's just pretty spectacular.”
The rooms, divided into two parallel wings, are linked together through a glass passageway, separating the estate’s public and private spaces in a totally unique way.
The rooms, divided into two parallel wings, are linked together through a glass passageway, separating the estate’s public and private spaces in a totally unique way.
The Bulthaup kitchen hosts state-of-the-art appliances and other high-end accouterments including Miele and Gaggenau appliances. Featuring bleached limed oak cabinets that completely open to an expansive terrace, through Myers’ ingenious glass walls that, at the touch of a button, roll up out of sight. From the kitchen, they open to an expansive terrace that features a built-in fire pit and cozy seating area accessed through vertically retractable steel and glass walls.
The Bulthaup kitchen hosts state-of-the-art appliances and other high-end accouterments including Miele and Gaggenau appliances. Featuring bleached limed oak cabinets that completely open to an expansive terrace, through Myers’ ingenious glass walls that, at the touch of a button, roll up out of sight. From the kitchen, they open to an expansive terrace that features a built-in fire pit and cozy seating area accessed through vertically retractable steel and glass walls.
The second wing features both bedrooms each with clerestory windows to capture the natural light in sunny Montecito and frame the magnificent views.
The second wing features both bedrooms each with clerestory windows to capture the natural light in sunny Montecito and frame the magnificent views.
Each bedroom is complete with en-suite baths. Both include clerestory windows that capture the natural light and embrace the stunning views.
Each bedroom is complete with en-suite baths. Both include clerestory windows that capture the natural light and embrace the stunning views.
You’ve heard about the importance of curb appeal when it comes time to sell your home. This estate has curb appeal around every corner. The property's dazzling gardens – created through the guidance of Mark Rios, FAIA, FASLA -- have been distinguished as an “Outstanding American Garden” by the Garden Club of America. “Even architects who come and take a look at it, you see their mouths drop open. They are looking at all the details and are just mesmerized,” Clarke told Realtor.com. “It's pretty spectacular how it is built. It's like a work of art is the best way I can describe it. You know when you go to museums and just kind of stand and you take the time to look—that's what people do in this house.”
You’ve heard about the importance of curb appeal when it comes time to sell your home. This estate has curb appeal around every corner. The property's dazzling gardens – created through the guidance of Mark Rios, FAIA, FASLA -- have been distinguished as an “Outstanding American Garden” by the Garden Club of America. “Even architects who come and take a look at it, you see their mouths drop open. They are looking at all the details and are just mesmerized,” Clarke told Realtor.com. “It's pretty spectacular how it is built. It's like a work of art is the best way I can describe it. You know when you go to museums and just kind of stand and you take the time to look—that's what people do in this house.”
The surrounding landscaping adds a bit of warmth with paths that outline the grounds, framed by Buxus hedges, that meander through the lush, drought-tolerant gardens.
The surrounding landscaping adds a bit of warmth with paths that outline the grounds, framed by Buxus hedges, that meander through the lush, drought-tolerant gardens.
The mesmerizing approximately 50’ ozonated lap pool is located on one end of the grounds. Most of us are familiar with chlorine sanitizing systems, but the truth is that ozone for swimming pools has been in use for well over 50 years in Europe. It has only been over the past decade in which American pool owners are beginning to recognize this unique sanitizing system’s merits as concerns about chlorine continue to rise. When used properly, ozone will drastically cut back the need to add chemicals to your pool.
The mesmerizing approximately 50’ ozonated lap pool is located on one end of the grounds. Most of us are familiar with chlorine sanitizing systems, but the truth is that ozone for swimming pools has been in use for well over 50 years in Europe. It has only been over the past decade in which American pool owners are beginning to recognize this unique sanitizing system’s merits as concerns about chlorine continue to rise. When used properly, ozone will drastically cut back the need to add chemicals to your pool.
An Andy Neumann designed 1 bed, 1 bath guest house can be found on the other side of the property. The Santa Barbara architect is known for working with people who not only want a home designed around their own unique lifestyle but one that’s also sensitive to the local environment and connected to the beauty around it. And he hit the nail on the head with this guest house.
An Andy Neumann designed 1 bed, 1 bath guest house can be found on the other side of the property. The Santa Barbara architect is known for working with people who not only want a home designed around their own unique lifestyle but one that’s also sensitive to the local environment and connected to the beauty around it. And he hit the nail on the head with this guest house.
If you’re a qualified buyer, Cristal Clarke would be happy to arrange a tour of this property for you; or of any that may be of interest from her portfolio of fine homes in Montecito, Santa Barbara, Hope Ranch, Summerland or Carpinteria. Just call Cristal at 805.886.9378 or email her at Cristal@montecito-estate.com.
If you’re a qualified buyer, Cristal Clarke would be happy to arrange a tour of this property for you; or of any that may be of interest from her portfolio of fine homes in Montecito, Santa Barbara, Hope Ranch, Summerland or Carpinteria. Just call Cristal at 805.886.9378 or email her at Cristal@montecito-estate.com.

Details

Square Feet
3365
Lot Size
.94 acres
Bedrooms
2
Full Baths
2
Partial Baths
1

Credits

Posted by
Architect
Barton Myers
Landscape Design
Builder
Yianna Bouyioukou
Publications
Realtor.com
Architectural Record

From Susan Hartzler

Described by notable Architectural Record as “one of the six most beautiful houses in the world,” this Iconic Modernism by Barton Myers takes the coveted indoor-outdoor lifestyle to new heights. The extraordinary steel and glass home inspired by the California climate features huge windowed doors throughout that roll up, fully opening the house to the outdoors.

In fact, The American Institute of Steel Construction awarded this residence with a Merit Award in the Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel (IDEAS2) program for sustainable design and the use of exposed structural steel. Structural steel is manufactured mostly from scrap metal, so it's a green material and doesn't generate as much construction waste as a wood-frame structure.

The homeowners commissioned architect Barton Myers to design this unique property, which was completed in 2009. Myers is known for his work using steel as the primary component and has earned an international reputation for excellence in architectural design with projects ranging from houses to large urban developments. At every scale, many of Barton Myers’ projects have been pioneering efforts – including this stunning Montecito one-of-a-kind masterpiece.