Located on a historic former cattle ranch, the Santa Lucia Preserve is a vast, remarkably beautiful landscape of rolling hills, ancient live oaks and manzanita. Designed to choreograph movement along its extraordinary ridge-top site, the Halls Ridge Knoll guesthouse celebrates its magical surroundings, with panoramic views of the San Clemente Mountains and Los Padres National Forest beyond.

Sited to take advantage of the temperate California climate, the guesthouse features expansive windows to provide natural lighting throughout, while a broad overhang shades interiors from the summer sun. Sliding doors and operable hopper windows throughout use the prevailing winds for natural ventilation, while also providing expansive views of the nearby mountains. The home is anchored to the sloping site by a massive stone wall, screening the house and pool. A timber-framed shed roof springs from the wall, supporting naturally weathered zinc roofing over cedar-clad volumes. Wood flooring in the living space of the house is reclaimed from an old barn.