Occupying rugged coastline on Palos Verdes Peninsula, Altamira Ranch presents its distinct manifestation of visions and dreams for Californian family. Built in 20-acres area, the building holds unforgettable memories of family picnics, childhood camping trips and romantic sunset for couple. The untouched feel is the very first thing the clients wanted to maintain to stay connected with the surrounding area.

It consists of four separate buildings including garage, guest hoise, main house and study house which intentionally cut into terrain to reduce the need in grading the site. It results partially buried main house and subterranean garage. This separation has preserving the ocean view seen from the house. With convergence lines and site features, datum line established curvy pathways of the unique decomposed granite gravel that were just laid out connecting the house with camping platform, vegetables garden, beach volleyball area, olive orchard and more various points.

To clad its concrete walls, a local shale was used while more than 30,000 different plants from native California seed were grown. Its particular planting design functions to connect the building to the ocean and natural environment. At guest house, succulents which resemble star fish, corals and sea urchins are used to create the same feeling of entering estuary or tidal pool. Finally, strong and intense collaborative relationship between architect, clients and also landscape designer has successfully brought inspiring design honoring the unique characteristic of surrounding environment.