fluid concrete residence by donaldson + partners emerges from california's hillside terrain

Donaldson + Partners unveils circular residence in california

Transdisciplinary design studio Donaldson + Partners presents Hill House Montecito, a concrete residence located in California, US. Commissioned by an artist couple, the dwelling fuses art with architecture in its 1,300-square-meter (14,000-square-foot) living space. The house emerges subtly from the hillside terrain before revealing its full circular structure, complete with solar panels and a green roof, and balances this monumental exterior with playful, fluid interior spaces. Robin Donaldson, founding partner of Donaldson + Partners, describes this project as ‘a symbiotic relationship between house and nature, and a 21st century articulation of architecture in and as landscape.’

all images by Joe Fletcher,  courtesy of Donaldson + Partners

flowy interior reflects Hill House Montecito’s geometry

Upon arrival, the California-based studio Donaldson + Partners’ layout guides guests through a suspended walkway to a bespoke semi-circular door that follows the curved geometry of the building. Inside, the great room opens onto both sides through glass doors that connect the interior Avocado courtyard with a terrace and pool, offering views of the Channel Islands. The main public spaces, including the kitchen, dining, and living areas, flow towards private offices and bedrooms along the eastern edge of the structure.

Below, the house accommodates a game room, library, and theater, with a patio leading to art studios and an amphitheater. These spaces connect with the terraced sculpture garden, a moment in the design that links everyday life with the artistic environment. The entire structure, from its overall form to the integration of landscape, promotes interaction between the architecture and its natural setting. Donaldson’s approach involved extensive iteration, including modelmaking, sketching, and collaboration with fabricators and builders such as F. Myles Sciotto and Stonemark Construction.

the house rises from the Californian hillside

the project serves as a pivotal moment in the studio’s approach

Donaldson + Partners had been working on this project for a total period of seven years, with the design process taking up four of them. During this time, Robin Donaldson worked closely with the owner, illustrator Bruce Heavin, who contributed to the design concept of creating a home that harmonizes with nature and supports the artistic and social needs of him and his wife.

Hill House Montecito marks a pivotal moment in the architect’s career as his practice expands into a more artistically-driven approach. Building on his three decades of experience as a leading residential and commercial architect in Southern California, Donaldson heads towards his interest in creative disciplines such as screen printing, painting, sculpture, and fabrication. This evolution reflects his focus on marrying art and architecture, as seen in the collaborative nature of the design process, which bridges traditional architectural practice with various forms of artistic production.

a dialogue between architecture and the natural setting

Hill House Montecito emerges from the hillside terrain

the sculptural facade reflects the client’s engagement with art and landscape

reflective surfaces expand the landscape

a suspended walkway leads to the custom semi-circular door

the entire structure promotes interaction between the architecture and its natural setting

as the night falls, the lighting adorns the concrete facade with pink hues

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Donaldson’s design process involved model-making, sketching, and collaboration with artists and builders

F. Myles Sciotto and Stonemark Construction played key roles in bringing the design to life

Donaldson’s design harmonizes monumental concrete forms with the surrounding greenery

light filters through the residence

the circular form burrows into the hillside

views of the surrounding hillside and ocean are framed by arches

Bruce Heavin’s involvement in the concept and ideation shaped the qualities of the residence

the green roof enhances the home’s integration with the landscape

a view of the avocado courtyard, framed by floor-to-ceiling glass

solar panels and a green roof integrate sustainable design into the circular structure

a private terrace with pool offers views of the Channel Islands

a semi-circular door reflects the house’s overall orientation towards the curved landscape

Donaldson + Partners had been working on this project for a total period of seven years

public spaces, like the kitchen and living room, are positioned for easy access to outdoor areas

large windows frame views of the ocean

glass doors in the great room open onto both sides

spacious rooms are filled with curated pieces of furniture

the eastern edge of the structure wraps around private offices

the game room, library, and theater below offer a relaxed retreat

bathroom equipment follows the curved design

art and architecture meet in the studio spaces

the openings follow the geometry of the building

the design balances the monumental exterior with playful, fluid interior spaces

the dwelling combines art and architecture in its 1,300-square-meter living space

commissioned by an artists' couple

project info:

name: Hill House Montecito
architect: Donaldson + Partners | @donaldsonplus
location: Montecito, California

lead architect: Robin Donaldson

concept and ideation: Robin Donaldson, Bruce Heavin
construction: Stonemark Construction
photographer: Joe Fletcher | @joefletcherphoto