Butterfly House

Iconic Architecture on Carmel's Coastal Bluffs

At the time of its construction in 1951, the Butterfly House represented the optimism and energy of the Modernist movement, with bold, dramatic forms and an open layout that sought to create seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces. Now considered an iconic historic structure, the building is being modified to respond to new environmental challenges and contemporary cultural concerns. Landscape design by RANA transformed the outdoor space by reconnecting the site to its coastal ecological context. The site, perched on a pointed bluff, is exposed to strong winds and high seas. RANA carved out protected spaces within the rocks and native plantings for the owners to gather around a fire, and for their children to play amidst the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.

Completed

2018

CLIENT

Confidential

LOCATION

Carmel, CA

TEAM

Jamie Bush + Co., Walker Stone Works, Miller and Associates Concrete, RANA The Cohabitat Co., Harrison Furniture, Pacific Peninsula Custom Group, Mayone Structural Engineering, Inc., Haro, Kasunich and Associates, Inc., F.O. Consulting