This renovation and addition to a 7,600-square-foot mid-1970s house draws inspiration from the floating homes of Southeast Asia and includes a series of dramatic water features. Located on a 4.7-acre property in Rolling Hills, an exclusive hillside coastal community in Southern California, the client’s passion for Asian art, design and antiques informed the design direction of the renewal and expansion of the aging home and enhancements to its secluded site.

Natural woods, stone and water features are coordinated with the site’s existing pepper and pine trees, giving the house a distinct Asian character. A new guesthouse and traditionally designed horse barn complement the town’s desire to emphasize rustic architectural traditions. The renovations and additions remove decades of uncoordinated remodeling and creates a quiet, inspiring home with an intuitive, practical and intelligible floor plan.