I can not say enough about this house; it is very much sculptural in form. This is one project that truly stretched my design skills, one of a kind design innovations abound within the structure and on the elevations.

Sometimes the most complex structures look quite simple when they are completed. I think of this home, as a consummate living environment, so much about the ocean and the unending spaciousness of the horizon. It is about shape and strength and integration with the natural world. The design is based on four radii, which are accomplished through the use of steel framing; the massive chimney element very much anchors the building, much as the anchor of a boat would give stability and position.

This is the third residential project that I was commissioned to design on the same private, gated beach in Malibu, however it was the first time I worked with Stuart Miller. The beach doesn't get much better than this, so serene and expansive in all directions.

Stuart was in the process of developing several other parcels in the area and wanted to develop a site that really had no build able land. The only area of the site that was gradable was a portion that was designated by the county for "recreation only" I would need remove an entire hill and retain it; the retained area would become the back wall of the residence. The requirements for an undertaking like this on the beach would be strenuous, in the areas of design, structural engineering, and permits. My reputation in dealing with difficult sites had preceded me and I was selected for the project.

The project would be for resale, the budget was quite large. In order to justify the land cost, it would be necessary build the largest home possible and to develop the part of the parcel that was designated for "recreation only" as a private water feature. I suggested that since such extensive grading was to be performed, we might as well take things a bit farther and add a subterranean level to bring the square footage up. The result was 6400 square feet.

I designed three floors, a roof deck and a basement. An interior elevator that lands on all four levels; of course stairs are included. The third level houses the two, ocean view secondary bedroom suites; it is a partial story to allow for high vaulted ceilings in the living room and dinning room below. The entire first level is devoted to the master suite, sitting room and spa, as well as the two car garage. Each floor exits directly to solid ground, which is quite a feat.

Since some of the best views are taken from the second level, I designed a wide roomy mid level entry. A half flight up from the exterior landing and another half flight up from the interior entry hall. The landings and the transition from outside to inside break the experience of climbing a full flight of stairs. Enter through an 18 foot high wall of glass to 27 foot high ceilings in the entry hall. Wide curving stairs that follow the curve of the glass block walls, add to the drama and gracefully redirect you around to face the ocean upon entry to the great room.

The entire wall on the right side of the building (all levels) is of curved, privacy glazed glass block, giving even more light and drama to the entry hall area. The glass block not only gives privacy from a close by home, but directs additional light into the basement, and ensures that there are no dark areas to be found in the residence. All of my designs are based on and abundance of natural light.

The cedar ceilings in the living area are vaulted to 22 feet high. The windows in the great room and dining room are nearly 11 feet high, to take in the astonishing views that appear not only to the front of the house, but the entire left side of the building as well. A massive curved front fireplace provides important focus to the sitting area. Thick wall treatments are seen through out the project, and not only add mass to the structure but also create integration with the exterior, as only glass interrupts the thickened interior walls from the thickened exterior walls. A 10 foot wide balcony with a glass railing open off of the sitting area in the great room.

The master suite features 9-foot high cedar ceilings. A massive curved front fireplace provides important focus to the master bedroom. Windows in the master bedroom are also 9 feet high and the views are breathtaking. An exterior water features appears to flow into the master bedroom, where a small pond sits beside the fireplace. Glass separates the water sources below the floor, but is not visible. The master bath /spa are housed within a curving glass block wall, and I designed a glass block Jacuzzi tub that is part of and integrated into the wall.

One of the most important features of the home is the extra large round kitchen, with its radius glass block wall. Separated from the great room only by planters, a cedar ceiling gives definition to the space. The kitchen features a full ocean view of its own. This is a kitchen ready to entertain 100 people easily.

The basement houses a roomy vault, a walk in climate controlled wine cellar, extensive laundry facilities and an exercise room with plenty of natural light. The basement features a large, what is termed a "window well" which allows for large expanses of glass with doors and an exterior entrance from that level.

A roof deck with a hot tub is accessed from a hallway on the third floor opposite the elevator landing.