LIGHTHOUSE & TREEHOUSE is a pair of one-story residences designed by Stelle Architects on a bluff. The project originated when performing artist clients acquired an adjacent parcel to their existing site, shifting the brief from a single house to a small compound. The intention was to create a cohesive environment suited to the clients’ interests in both privacy and connection, structured as modestly scaled buildings positioned within a unified landscape framework. Expansive views of the surrounding bays and harbors were central to the evolution of the design.
Each building has a distinct character, with the overall composition engaging the topography of the bluff. The arrangement takes advantage of the site’s elevated vantage, orienting principal rooms toward significant outlooks. Single-story massing and the integration of outdoor spaces contribute to a sense of openness between interior and exterior, while also preserving the sense of modesty requested in the brief. The landscape acts as a connective tissue between the two houses, reinforcing their unity while allowing each to maintain its identity within the compound.
