Lisa Little, AIA, Architect | Vertebrae | Highway House, 2024

Lisa Little, AIA, Architect
Vertebrae
Highway House, 2024

Angled shed roofs trace the downhill slope of this Malibu residence, their sharp profiles echoing the rugged geometry of the Santa Monica Mountains. Designed after the original structures were lost in the 2018 Woolsey Fire, the new home rises from the site’s existing concrete foundations—the only elements that survived—reducing both construction waste and the project’s carbon footprint. Though entirely reimagined, the architecture feels grounded in its landscape, shaped as much by environmental responsibility as by form.

The property is organized as four distinct structures: a primary residence with four bedrooms and shared living spaces, a garage with guest suite, a pool house, and a sauna. The main house and guest suite define a sheltered courtyard that opens toward fruit trees and a vegetable garden. Minimalist exterior forms abstract the surrounding hills, reinforcing a quiet dialogue between building and terrain.

A network of trails and steps weaves through replanted native, drought-tolerant species and remnants of the former vineyard. The expanded pool terrace includes a bocce court, pergola, fire pit, and outdoor shower. Given the site’s active wildlife, custom fencing was designed to discreetly protect the courtyard and pool area.

Laser-cut aluminum shade screens mitigate intense Southern California sun while acting as a unifying visual motif across the project. Their pattern shifts throughout the day and glows softly at night with integrated backlighting. Designed for resilience, the landscape incorporates fire-suppression systems to protect plantings and stabilize slopes, while rooftop sprinklers and on-site solar energy storage support long-term independence in a remote, fire-prone setting.

Thank you Lisa Little and The American Institute of Architects for making this wonderful home available on this year’s Arch Tour Fest. We look forward to next year’s tour!

@vertebrae_la @aia_la @carlocaccavale @marcchristopherromeo

Landscape: @terremoto_landscape

Beautifully shot and edited by Orlando Hernandez @pb.mediafilm

#ModernArchitecture #LosAngelesArchitecture