Light House

Light House overlooks Hatton Canyon, a California state park, in the Carmel Hills, and is within walking distance to downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea and Carmel Beach. The nearly ½ acre park-like property is filled with mature cypress trees, coastal live oak trees and an australian tea tree, which has thrived on the property for nearly a century.

In 2020, architect Jim Sullivan was brought on board to collaborate on a 1,000 sqft addition and renovation of the property’s 1940’s 'Mid-century Modern' home to encourage views, daylight and access to outdoor spaces.

Sustainability and conservation were critical to the homeowners, and meticulous care was taken in protecting the trees and wildlife on the property throughout the duration of the build. In fact, the addition and connected cedar decks were designed to go around the tea tree, and with its growth path in mind, to ensure it can continue to grow naturally for the next century. The home also features high efficiency appliances and fixtures, as well as sustainable and recyclable materials, and fire protection elements.

Now, with its 23’+ folding glass doors, towering banks of rectangular and trapezoidal windows, and 13’ vaulted ceilings, Light House beautifully blends modern, contemporary, and industrial design, welcoming natural light and views of the sky, mature trees, and local wildlife (including quail, acorn woodpeckers, scrub jays, and the occasional lynx and mountain lion).

Clean modern lines run throughout the home frame, drawing the eye to the sky, tree canopy and state park outside, including architecturally exposed steel i-beams and trusses, wood beams and vaulted steel roof, and shadow-revealing flush recessed baseboards, flush air vents and trimless windows and doors. The home’s neutral color palette and warm custom wood cabinetry, interior doors and detailing around the black-framed windows compliment the natural landscape, and vaulted natural hemlock ceilings visually appear to run seamlessly from the inside to the exposed natural wood eaves outside.

Architect: Jim Sullivan
Designer: Lacey Haines (Homeowner)
Photographer: Niki Britton