Residential Architectural Designs

Darcy Davidson writes that In modern suburbia, we are confined to living in a box within a box. Where is the movement in our lives? Nature is composed of curvilinear lines and asymmetry, whether it is a twiggy tree branch or the free flowing creeks and rivers. With all this organic inspiration around us, we can recreate our surroundings by incorporating organic elements in our homes.

In San Diego, CA. an artist and architect named James Hubbell has done just that. Inspired by his natural surroundings, he created a home that is definitely outside the box. Not a single element of straight, parallel lines exists. He has incorporated materials such as sprayed concrete, glass mosaics, wrought iron, stained glass, sea shells, natural stones, semi-precious stones, and hand crafted bricks from Mexico.

After creating his multi-building home in Julian, CA. in San Diego County, he worked with my parents to create a one of a kind home I lovingly call the "pineapple" or "rock" house. My parents created hand-cut stained glass windows, and glass and terra cotta wall and floor mosaics. Our house was constructed of steel and sprayed concrete, and incorporated all of the usual elements that James utilized in his designs.