FIRM
Munden Fry Landscape Associates
TYPE
Residential
LOCATION
Coastal Site in Northern CA
CURVEBALL
MFLA and Feldman Architecture began the design for a residential development, which we gave the monicker, the Curveball. This is a private coastal residence on a very steep grade nestled in the coastal hills between Carmel and Big Sur, and located within the protected area of the Santa Lucia Conservancy, a nonprofit land trust dedicated to ecological integrity. As a landscape designer with MFLA, I assisted with the design phases of the project from SD through CD.
Curveball aimed for a harmonious integration of the home within the beautiful, ecologically rich landscape of the Santa Lucia Preserve. Emphasizing site-responsiveness and a strong connection to the outdoors, the design situates two gently curved structures within a grove of oaks on a steep hillside, preserving mature trees as much as feasible. The site design includes a green roof blends that seamlessly into the hillside, a landscaped courtyard with a plunge pool, and a patio off the great room with terraced garden areas that open up to stunning views of the ecological preserve.
Durable, low-maintenance weathering steel walls and native landscape planting were chosen to ensure a fire resilient and sustainable design. Aspiring for CORE Green Building Certification, the design beautifully merges architecture and landscape highlighting the natural beauty of the site and integrating regenerative design principles.
SCHEME B
SCHEME A
CONCEPT SKETCHES
The principal, James Munden, provided these concept sketches which I quickly explored both in plan and in 3D using Rhino 3D and Lumion. Scheme A proved superior given it provided far better view corridors to the meadow and blended better with the existing terrain.
ALT 1
ALT 2
DESIGN EXPLORATIONS ADAPATED FROM SCHEME A
We adapted Scheme A so that it could provide more generous social spaces and landscape rooms. We developed two alternates, one with three terraces and the other with closer connections between terraces. We found Alt 1 preferable given it provides more robust social areas.
STRESS TESTING AND REFINING THE DESIGN
After careful consideration of the tree survey we realized we had to push the middle terrace back to avoid disrupting adjacent existing trees. This alteration also reduced disruption to the overall landscape. The planting scheme was also heavily informed by the conservancies fuel treatment guidelines, which protect the site against fires.