Bestor Architecture

Toro Canyon House

Toro Canyon House
© Laure Joliet

TORO CANYON HOUSE

Bestor Architecture

LIGHTING DESIGNER
Dan Weinreber, Kaplan, Gehring, McCarroll Architectural Lighting

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Isabelle Greene & Associates

INTERIOR DESIGNER
The Archers

CONTRACTOR
Below Magid Construction

PROJECT MANAGER / ARCHITECT
Selena Linkous

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, PLUMBING
Mel Bilow & Associates

CIVIL ENGINEER
Penfield & Smith

PARTNER IN CHARGE
Barbara Bestor

PROJECT TEAM
Daniel Rabin

PHOTOGRAPHS
Laure Joliet

AREA
4700 ft²

YEAR
2012

LOCATION
Santa barbara county, united states

CATEGORY
Houses

Text description provided by architect.

The owners wanted to build a getaway house outside of Los Angeles where they could entertain and find a balance between the modern design they desired and a more direct relationship to nature.

Toro Canyon House
© Laure Joliet
Toro Canyon House
© Laure Joliet
Toro Canyon House
© Laure Joliet

After a two year search in the Southern California region they discovered pristine acreage near Montecito at the top of a mountain and adjacent to national park land.

The site strategy is one of slow revelation and discovery of the house and- ultimately- the view.

The road, which had to be built for access, brings the visitor to a point below the house- where a formal stair leads up to the entry sequence.

Toro Canyon House
© Laure Joliet
Toro Canyon House
© Laure Joliet

The front door frames and reveals views of the Santa Barbara coastline through the courtyard.

A 40’ wide horizontal ‘panavison’-esque opening gives the house a pavilion-like atmosphere.

Toro Canyon House
© Laure Joliet
Toro Canyon House
© Laure Joliet

The dwelling is organized around three courtyards; the primary one at the heart of the house also serves as the front entrance and outdoor living room.

The courtyards have a dual purpose: they bring in ample natural light and ventilation but also provide protection from the strong winds that can race across the mountain.

The rough and very thick boardform concrete walls, custom color-mixed to match the dark red and brown tones of the earth at the site, form a rugged shell that is punctuated by large openings and reveals of the Alaskan cedar wood siding.

Toro Canyon House
© Laure Joliet
Toro Canyon House
© Laure Joliet
Toro Canyon House
© Laure Joliet

The inner shell’s warm wood and windows into the protected courtyards create a warm and tactile interior respite from the hardy environment.

Toro Canyon House
© Laure Joliet
Toro Canyon House
© Laure Joliet


Toro Canyon House
© Laure Joliet
Toro Canyon House
© Laure Joliet
Toro Canyon House
© Laure Joliet
Toro Canyon House
© Laure Joliet
Toro Canyon House
© Laure Joliet
Toro Canyon House
© Laure Joliet


Toro Canyon House
Site Plan

Bestor Architecture
T +1 323 6669399
Bestor Architecture
2030 Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States