Sited on the edge of a knoll overlooking the town of Big Bear Lake, California, this small vacation retreat embraces the expanding views that prevail across the open valley. Through the use of solid, stable materials — stone and weathering steel — the home’s entry mirrors the distant mountains. Inside, however, the solidity dematerializes as steel panels give way to glass and wood, and the expanding views are invited in. The demure size of the home is offset by an open plan, lofts, decks and windows, which give the feeling that one is part of the surrounding view. A short drive from Southern California, this retreat, and its architecture, stand as a stark reminder of the rich environmental dichotomy that comprises the region.
