A modern Mediterranean project, panoramic ocean view with Persian architecture and Frank Loyd wright inspiration. Designed based on passive solar design, lots of daylights, cross ventilation in all rooms, pyramid ceiling and pyramid skylights, stone flooring as thermal mass to moderate temperature. The use of a wind catcher to prevent mold and moisture issues on the basement. Water efficient landscaping was used through out. Energy star appliance and HVAC, solar panel, solar water heater and instant water heater were used.

To avoid a Coastal Commission Review, I opted to retain 50 percent of the exterior walls, but demolish all the interior walls. Keeping more than half the exterior walls and windows while designing a building that is functional, proportional, in harmony with the neighbors and artistically beautiful was a big challenge. The design fused elements that reflect my vernacular architectural knowledge with the best of Southern California's indoor-outdoor lifestyle.

Home featured by San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles:
http://www.sandiegohomegarden.com/December-2017/Persian-Perspectives/

Note from the owner;
In 1994, while our two sons attending UCSD, we started looking
for a house to combine two dorms and a vacation home for ourselves. After seeing this house, we couldn’t keep our mind off of it. It impressed us on one hand by its unobstructed open ocean view and on the other hand the sense of seclusion and privacy. We had similar atmosphere in our home in northern California including a large property lot, trees and surrounding orchards.
After children left, the time came for renovation with few requirements. The future house has to accentuate the openness and ocean view, keep the privacy, be environmentally friendly (green as much as possible) and having a touch of our ancestor’s homeland, Persian architecture.
After multiple interviews made by us and Michael (our son-in-law who is an architect), we came to conclusion that architect Simin Razavian and her husband, structural engineer, Mehrdad Hemmati are the best to fulfill our dream. During the planning and construction, we stayed in our residence in northern California and made multiple trips to La Jolla for decision making and adjustments.
We are very pleased with the end result. A modern contemporary design with touch of magnificent old Persian architecture and environmentally friendly atmosphere. Simin and Mehdad were involved from the start to the end and the result of their diligent supervision and critical observation about the details during the construction can be seen all over. They even had a trip to Italy to check out the manufacturing company who was going to supply the windows and cabinetries.
We have not yet seen anybody walking into our house and not complementing the design, the structure details, the openness, and of course a touch of old Persian architecture.