As one of the Central Coast’s leading architecture and interior design firms, Studio Schicketanz is sought after for its sensitive approach to the landscape, sustainable architecture techniques, and sophisticated yet comfortable interiors.

For founder Mary Ann Schicketanz, AIA, Carmel, and the surrounding Big Sur and Monterey region, has been a source of endless inspiration since she first arrived from Austria more than 30 years ago.

It has led to a career-long investigation into the relationship between landscape, building materials, form, and nature. She considers the natural beauty of the coastal region a muse—everything from its Cypress trees and dune grasses to the ever-present ocean—all of which define her signature palettes and materials.

“In our work, we seek to do justice to the land, our clients, and our own architectural ambitions,” says Schicketanz. The firm brings this ethos to its wide-ranging portfolio, no matter a project’s location. To date, their California work spans the entire coastline—from Laguna Beach to northern Marin—and they have also completed projects across the Western United States, everywhere from Hawaii to Texas, and Europe.

TEHAMA 2

Located in Clint Eastwood’s coveted Carmel Valley Tehama community, this net-zero residence celebrates the land, sustainability and the power of architecture to make us feel safe. The virgin site was a gentle sloping meadow, located at the edge of a mixed forest that features a signature — and compelling — oak tree.

While fundamentally wanting a contemporary design, the clients loved the traditional agricultural architecture of the Valley, as well as the indoor/outdoor lifestyle the region’s warm climate allows. In reference and homage to the local vernacular, Studio Schicketanz used simple shapes made of local stone, traditional board and batt siding, and metal roofing.

SCENIC DRIVE

Studio Schicketanz rebuilt the entire ocean frontage of this residence without increasing square footage for a client with a longstanding passion for the region’s natural beauty. By creating a terraced roof design to maximize views, the southern half of the residence now accommodates a primary suite adjacent to a living, green roof.

On both levels, the design’s prominent trellises filter light while giving foreground to the architecture. Inside, the home’s soft palettes are reflected in the delicate white oak floors and locally sourced stone that was hand-selected for the in-home, pizza oven. A Christopher Peacock kitchen and custom marble pieces, carved from a solid marble block, further ground the elegance of the open-plan space.

TEHAMA 1

Studio Schicketanz organized the design of this house around a centrally cleared knoll, prioritizing outdoor space with a deep exploration of the ways a structure can merge with a specific ecology. Textured stone walls give rise to controlled cement steps that lead to a crisply modernist structure.

Detailed geometric framing and a cantilevered roof create a shaded trellis that wraps the structure. Light is at play everywhere, from the dappled light that hits the stone walls to the reflection of the majestic neighboring tree along the house’s expansive glass façade. The result is a unique vernacular modern architecture.

LOBOS VIEWS

This stunningly modern Carmel Highlands residence overlooks the Monterey Bay and Point Lobos to the north. The 6,414 square foot home is constructed of stone and exposed wood, giving it an earthy feel as well as the effect of being nestled into the hillside. Studio Schicketanz mitigated the visual impact of the home from above by densely planting each of the exposed roof decks with the help of a local biologist and horticulturist.

Once inside, the main living space features a sophisticated series of rooms with an open floor plan. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto a large patio that takes advantage of the spectacular ocean views.

A street view of the beautiful house shows its lovely combination of wooden beams and glass walls. This is foregrounded with a lush landscaping filled with tall trees, shrubs and decorative rocks.

This is a lovely view of the side of the house showing a pebbled ground with mosaic stone walkways leading from the covered patio to the outdoor dining area and stone firepit.

The covered patio beyond the glass walls has a beamed ceiling wupported by a row of wooden columns. This area is accessible through a set of large glass doors.

This is the great room that houses the living room, dining area and the kitchen under the same tall cathedral ceiling with exposed beams that stand out against the wooden ceiling.

This dining area has a large dining set under a round chandelier that hangs from the tall wooden ceiling that has contrasting black metal beams.

The black metal beams of this living room extend to the frames that support the tall glass walls. These flank the large stone pillar that houses the fireplace of the living room that has a beige sofa set on a patterned area rug.

This is a close look at the large kitchen island with a sink at the corner. This has a white countertop that matches well with the white wall with storage for firewood on the far side.

The kitchen has a breakfast bar attached to its kitchen island paired with beige stools that stand out against the light hardwood flooring. These pair well with the light wooden tone of the surrounding cabinetry with a white backsplash.

This kitchen has a black granite countertop on its kitchen island. This makes it stand out against the consistent light wooden tone of the ceiling, cabinetry and the walls with a built-in nook under the window.

This is a library with lit built-in bookshelves dominating one side of the wall. This gives a nice contrast to the dark tones of the sofa set paired with a couple of glass-top coffee tables.

This corner of the lbrary has a dark gray armchair that stands out against the light wooden bookshelves of the wall. This stands on the side of the French glass doors that lead to the landscape outside.

This is a living room a few steps from the dining room. It has a beige ceiling with exposed wooden beams that match well with the hue of the armchair beside the fireplace that stands out against the beige wall.

Across from the bed in this bedroom is a lovely beige armchair with its own footstool and a side table. This is placed by the tall glass walls and the large open wall with gray curtains.

This is a lovely patio with a set of outdoor furniture on a mosaic stone floor near the concrete balcony. This has a gorgeous sweeping view of the sea beyond.

This is the backyard infinity pool with a concrete walkway on the side before transitioning to the grass lawn. This is where the outdoor daybeds are placed with comfortable cushions. These pair well with the cushions of the outdoor sofa set just a few steps away.

This is a charming outdoor patio with a set of cushioned armchairs warmed by a modern outdoor fireplace embedded into a large stone wall. These are then complemented by the lush landscape surrounding it with tall trees.

This is the aerial view of the gorgeous house. Here you can appreciate its isolation and the lush landscaping surrounding it with tall trees and rolling hills.

About Studio Schicketanz (@studio_schicketanz)

Studio Schicketanz is a full-service architecture, interior design, and consultancy firm based in Carmel, California, and sought after for its ability to weave together deeply philosophical approaches to landscape, architecture, and interior design with a focused emphasis on livability. Originally from Austria, founder Mary Ann Schicketanz – a practicing architect for more than two decades, with a portfolio spanning the Western United States and Europe – is known for creating designs that offer classic simplicity and natural elegance. Mary Ann is the AIA Monterey Bay President and serves on the Board of the Philip Glass Center.

Photo credit: Tim Griffith Photography

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