Carmel-By-The-Sea, California, USA
The Meadow House, designed by Mark English Architects, is a distinguished residence located within the Santa Lucia Preserve in Carmel Valley, California, conceived for a multigenerational family with deep cultural ties to Korea, embodying the concept of a “California home with a Korean heart”.
The architectural design harmoniously blends Korean and Californian sensibilities. Features such as fluid indoor-outdoor transitions, expansive terraces, and the strategic use of natural light reflect this fusion.
For its sustainable design and cultural integration, this project has been awarded a 2025 Green Good Design Award from The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture, Design, and Urban Studies.
The design team engaged deeply with Korean design principles, discovering that many biophillic elements align with Californian traditions, resulting in a conceptually unique and contextually relevant project .
Situated on a 3.86-acre lot within a 20,000-acre private community—of which 18,000 acres are protected by a conservation land trust—the Meadow House adheres to strict environmental guidelines.
Only 297 homesites exist within this vast landscape, and any new construction must remain largely undetectable from surrounding roads and trails .
The home’s Z-shaped floor plan follows the land’s contours, nestled among dense oak canopies, effectively concealing it from passersby .
Designed to accommodate aging in place, the residence features wide corridors, sweeping ramps, and an elevator, ensuring full accessibility.
The home is equipped to host business gatherings, entertain large groups, and provide accommodations for extended family visits, with provisions for up to 10 guests.
A restrained material palette contributes to the home’s serene ambiance. Interior finishes include Italian bluestone, white oak floors, quartz countertops, and stainless steel elements.
Exterior materials such as weathering steel, vertical-grain cedar slat screens, and limestone cladding were chosen for their low maintenance and ability to blend with the natural environment .
The design incorporates sustainable features like high-efficiency electric heat pump systems, strategic roof overhangs to minimize solar gain, and natural cross-ventilation facilitated by stacking glass door systems .
Project: Meadow House
Architects: Mark English Architects
General Contractor: Portola Valley Builders
Design Team: Mark English, Greg Corbett, Joshua Kehl, and Karli Montick
Client:Private
Photographers:Joe Fletcher Photography
