Architect Buries a Home in a Hillside So the Neighbours Can't See It (House Tour)

When an architect buries a home in a hillside, the result is a close connection between architecture and landscape. At Toro Canyon House, Marmol Radziner has created a contemporary hillside home overlooking Montecito, Santa Barbara and the Pacific Ocean. Designed as guest and recreational spaces, the project embraces the terrain through earth-sheltered structures, green roofs and local materials.

Located on the eastern edge of Montecito, the property is surrounded by oak trees, with the Santa Ynez Mountains to the north. The mild coastal climate and expansive views informed the design. Rather than imposing a conventional building on the site, Marmol Radziner proposed structures embedded within the slope. This almost underground home surprised the clients, who had requested a guesthouse, gym, garage and pool cabana.

As the architect buries a home in a hillside, the approach becomes part of the experience. A winding driveway leads upwards from Toro Canyon Creek, revealing narrow openings carved into the terrain. These gestures conceal the project's scale, allowing vegetation and topography to remain prominent. The architecture unfolds around a swimming pool connecting the guest accommodation, gym and elevated cabana.

Throughout the house tour, the relationship between interior design and nature becomes apparent. The guesthouse opens into an intimate living, dining and kitchen area, with a bedroom overlooking the ocean. Golden tones, natural textures and playful colour bring warmth to the interiors. Montecito sandstone anchors the buildings to their setting, while concrete floors and travertine finishes establish a restrained palette.

The pool cabana offers a contrasting experience. Positioned above the pool, the lightweight structure appears to float over the landscape, framing views towards Santa Barbara and the Pacific Ocean. Timber flooring distinguishes it from the earthbound spaces below, creating a moment of elevation within this luxury home. The pool remains the social centre of the project, offering a place for family gatherings while connecting the distinct buildings across the site.

Sustainability is central to the design. Embedding much of the building into the slope helps regulate internal temperatures across the seasons. Each green roof further supports thermal performance, while solar panels on the hillside contribute power. These decisions demonstrate how an underground home can respond to its environment without compromising comfort.

For Marmol Radziner, the defining achievement is the project's ability to sit within the landscape without dominating it. As an architect buries a home in a hillside, the boundaries between built form and terrain become less distinct. This home tour reveals an approach to residential architecture where landscape, materiality and everyday living remain connected.

Ultimately, Toro Canyon House demonstrates how an architect buries a home in a hillside to preserve its surroundings. With concealed spaces, an elevated cabana and coastal views, the project celebrates living within nature. Rather than competing with the landscape, it reveals how an architect buries a home in a hillside to balance contemporary design, privacy and the natural environment.

0:00 - Introduction To Toro Canyon By Marmol Radziner
1:37 - A Brief Shaped By Family, Function And Place
3:26 - The Pool As The Heart Of The Project
4:45 - Creating A Home Filled With Warmth And Playfulness
6:06 - Building With The Landscape Through Green Roofs
6:48 - The Quiet Beauty Of The Pool Cabana