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| Interior Courtyard of Rustic Canyon Residence photo by Taiyo Watanabe |
Conner + Perry Architects recently completed the breathtaking Rustic Canyon Residence, a home deeply rooted in the unique micro-climate of Santa Monica Canyon. This specific pocket of the Pacific Palisades was affectionately dubbed "Kappe Land" by the late Architect Duncan Nicholson—a nod to the legendary Ray Kappe, whose nearby masterpieces set the standard for hillside modernism.
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| Entrance to home photo by Taiyo Watanabe |
The design was dictated by the site's majestic Oak and Eucalyptus trees. To honor these natural sentinels, the residence utilizes expansive, canopy-like cantilevered eaves that mimic the surrounding tree cover. Massive glass walls pocket completely away, dissolving the boundary between the interior and a central courtyard, creating a living experience that feels less like a building and more like a sheltered extension of the canyon floor.
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| Dining and Kitchen open to the central court and backyard photo by Taiyo Watanabe |
Materials & Philosophy
In true alignment with organic design principles, the material palette was chosen to age gracefully alongside the landscape. The exterior features a tactile mix of charred wood siding, copper, exposed steel, and board-formed concrete. In a poetic recycling of the land’s own history, fallen Eucalyptus wood salvaged from the property was repurposed into custom outdoor seating and key interior details, ensuring the DNA of the site remains physically present in the home.
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| Office nestled around the existing oak tree and landscape photo by Taiyo Watanabe |
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| Uniquely detailed floating stair photo by Taiyo Watanabe |
The Interior Experience
Inside, the home was designed from the "inside out," prioritizing the human experience and the play of light. Natural textures of Massangis grey limestone and French oak floors are accented by weathered brass and blackened steel elements. The architecture acts as a vessel for light; a uniquely detailed floating staircase and strategically placed skylights allow the sun to track through the house, casting a rhythmic dance of tree shadows across the world-class art collection of owners Jamie Price and Brad Schlei.
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| Balanced light provided in the library by overhead skylight and openings photo by Taiyo Watanabe |
The Legacy
This 6,800-square-foot residence represents a profound collaboration, brought to life by the Conner + Perry Architects team based on the original design intention of Duncan Nicholson. The finished work is a testament to the collective vision of Olivia Williams Interior Design, Matt Merrell, Landscape Workspace, and the expert craftsmanship of RAM Development and Dick Minium Construction. It stands today as a seamless blend of structural innovation and the timeless spirit of its surroundings.
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| Pool Courtyard looking back into the house with large expanse of open sliders photo by Taiyo Watanabe |
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