A Contemporary Home Offers Stunning Views of Surrounding Landscape in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Taronga House is a stunning contemporary home located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, USA. It was designed by Arterra Landscape Architects, this amazing modern residence with spectacular views has a water feature at the entry and Cor-ten steel details in the firepit, steps, and walls contribute fire resistance and an organic feel.

by Ciprian Oct 21, 2022 15 Images

Taronga House by Arterra Landscape Architects

Taronga’s six-acre site, set within Carmel’s 18,000-acre Santa Lucia Preserve, straddles a high ridge with spectacular views. The home respects the site’s challenging topography and magical oak woodland in a series of pavilions arrayed along the ridgeline.

The Preserve’s eco-consciousness and the established trees mandated minimal disturbance. Arterra helped integrate the design of the house into the site, starting with its organizing principle, a limestone wall that runs from the auto court through the house to the opposite side to anchor the architecture to the site and leads the eye toward the view. A secondary wall, set perpendicular to the first, establishes the geometry for the pool and poolhouse. Multiple terraces defer to the elements while highlighting varying views.

Plantings are drought-resistant, low profile, and textural. A living roof over the garage allows for unimpeded views from the breezeway lounge.

A water feature at the entry and Cor-ten steel details in the firepit, steps, and walls contribute fire resistance and an organic feel while referencing the building materials on the house.