The long curving cmu wall, transitions to concrete and finally comes to a knife edge in reference to the setback. The opposing side is the Cleveland National Forest which is all that is visible for miles. The material palette is modest, cmu walls, concrete floors on main level, cedar ceilings, large glass windows and doors.  Essential materials pervade the interior and exterior imparting a true honest clarity. The language conveyed through careful detailing is that roofs, walls and soffits are in tension, poised, as if suspended, and in conversation with each other.

This is the second home for the family, a ranch in the equestrian community of Rancho Carrillo, one hour from Laguna Beach where the family resides most of the time. Five horses and a pony live in the adjacent stable. The home is organized around a courtyard where the largest oak tree lived for a century. The courtyard is entered throughout a narrow gap between the sloped privacy wall and the gym. From here, the long view to the home through the court is offered and the procession and unfolding begins. The glass wall reveals the stairway, living spaces, water element and the distant view to the forest. Moving around the fireplace, you see the ranch kitchen and casual seating. This space flows seamlessly to the large covered veranda. The main living space is conceived as an interlocking central volume, layered with lower soffits for shading and ventilation with higher windows. Many passive and active solar concepts are used minimizing the dependency on fossil fuels.  The study and master suite occupy the upper level. On the lower level, children's  bedrooms border the courtyard on the east side.

Once experienced, the ranch emanates a feeling of balance, that all natural and all constructed, reside in harmony, like the home has always belonged here. The family uses the property more than they ever expected ... Further from everything yet closer than ever to the life they love.