A design experiment, driven by practicality and purpose, was the foundation for Mesa View Residence. Our clients wanted the home to take advantage of the site’s rural setting and ocean views through practical solutions for sustainable design. This meant looking at each design element for both function and aesthetic. Using the lot’s long east-west orientation, we designed the home in a “U” shape to protect against northwest winds, establishing a sunny southside courtyard, and giving the outside a European feel our clients liked. A three-story tower introduced a strong architectural element, while naturally conditioning the building when heat from the day rises to ventilate at top. Concrete floors provided a modern finish and used passive solar: cooling the home in the daytime and soaking up the sun and releasing gathered heat at night. Redwood and metal siding blended with the home’s surroundings. Contextual, drought-tolerant Coastal Oaks replaced fire hazardous Eucalptus trees.