2008 Nationals: Thoroughly Modern

Surrounded by gently rolling hills, this home combines a modern aesthetic with traditional materials to create warm, contemporary spaces. Photos: Eric Figge Photography

In many ways, it was a dream project: a breathtaking location, money not an object and clients who are well-versed in the custom home building process. They are well-traveled, have seen a lot and know exactly what they want.

The Wine Country Residence sits on the crest of a hill overlooking the coastal mountains of California. With no nearby neighbors or property line constraints, the home provides 360 degree views. It was built in Paso Robles wine country with a simple array of materials — rugged stone walls, heavy timber beams and a clay-tiled roof — and combines bold, simple forms with intense color.

The layout is a collection of smaller buildings, or pavilions, linked by an arced gallery that unifies the home and ties it in with the surrounding environment. One pavilion contains the master bedroom and bathroom. Another one houses two secondary bedrooms. There's a pavilion for the combination great room/dining room/kitchen area, with sliding glass doors that recede into the walls and lead out to a covered patio and swimming pool, providing an easy transition from indoor to outdoor living. There's a pavilion for the parking garage and a tower just off the front courtyard that houses a library.

"This couple has spent a lot of time in Mexico and appreciates some contemporary Mexican architects," says John Bigot, AIA and vice president of Bassenian/Lagoni Architects. "They liked the idea of having the thick stucco walls and warm colors you often see in those Mexican homes. It's contemporary, but very warm and approachable."