Situated at the edge of the pacific, the historic mid century modern Butterfly house hangs over the water. Marie was charged with redesigning the outdated exterior to complement the historic architecture as well as the architectural restoration/remodel simultaneously being designed by Architect Jamie Bush. The approach was to draw from mid century style and form while using modern materials that blended with the rugged site context. Marie used curving retaining walls to build terraces into the site, making small gardens within the quarter acre site for different uses, such as a children’s garden, a sunken firepit at the edge of the bluff, and a hidden patio and small lawn area. Previously unused site areas were maximized to make the most of every inch of this epic property, which was planted with a vibrant, drought tolerant mix of California coastal bluff natives and south african species. Rainwater was diverted from the roof to a rainwater catchment tank under the driveway, further reducing water demands for irrigation. To respect the clients privacy, we have not included additional photos of the property on our website.