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In the short time since its completion, Bruce Heavin and Robin Donaldson’s “Hill House” has become a celebrated icon among Santa Barbara's design community. Rumors and whispers surrounded the project until its grand reveal at the recent VADATalks event, transforming speculation into admiration for this extraordinary residence.
At VADATalks, hosted by the Visual Arts & Design Academy of Santa Barbara High School (VADA), the Hill House was introduced to a captivated audience. Described by one colleague as an "enormous, clam-shaped museum-cum-residence," the house seamlessly integrates into the Montecito landscape, offering unparalleled ocean views. Another esteemed architect likened it to the most imaginative private residence since Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater.
[Image credit: UCSB's Art, Design, and Architecture Museum curator Silvia Perea introducing discussion panel - The Montecito Journnal]
Client and co-designer Bruce Heavin shared amusing anecdotes about the project’s initial reception. When first presented to the Montecito Board of Architectural Review, Hill House's unconventional design left members puzzled. One board member humorously asked if it was "a hobbit hole or a spaceship?" This blend of mystery and innovation drew a sold-out crowd of architecture enthusiasts to Santa Barbara City College’s Fé Bland Forum for an in-depth discussion about this unique home.
The panel featured Heavin, architect Robin Donaldson, UCSB's Art, Design, and Architecture Museum curator Silvia Perea, and moderator Les Firestein, founder of the Montecito Journal’s Riv magazine. The event felt like a public housewarming, with lively discussions and visual presentations revealing the intricacies of Hill House.
Donaldson and Heavin explained that Hill House was designed to be both empathetic to its landscape and groundbreaking in its construction. The design is a harmonious blend of art, architecture, and nature, creating a seamless extension of its surroundings. Hill House is a living sculpture, featuring a circular floor plan encased in a raw concrete shell and draped in lush vegetation. Its walkable roof offers sweeping views of the Pacific, while both recognizable and anonymous artworks are seamlessly integrated throughout its interior and exterior. Reflecting the clients' vision, the design weaves together art, architecture, and landscape, creating a harmonious extension of the natural surroundings. The house's curvilinear walls and openings resemble an exquisite ceramic vessel, blending beauty with functionality.
The concept of "serious play" was central to the design process. Perea compared Hill House to the playful yet rigorous designs of Ray and Charles Eames and Frank Gehry, noting its place within Southern California’s lineage of innovative architecture. Despite its unconventional form, Donaldson emphasized the importance of architecture’s social impact, urging Santa Barbara to prioritize buildings that enrich local communities.
As the evening drew to a close, Heavin reflected on the emotional resonance of Hill House. He shared that some visitors have been moved to tears upon entering, a testament to the house’s profound impact. Heavin concluded with a thought-provoking quote from Ivy Ross, author of "This Is Your Brain on Art": “The Robots are here. It’s time for us to return to what we do best – which is be human.”
The VADATalks event was a resounding success, illuminating the visionary design and construction of Hill House. The Visual Arts & Design Academy of Santa Barbara High School (VADA) is proud to have sponsored this enlightening discussion, celebrating the intersection of creativity, innovation, and community in contemporary architecture.
AB design studio is proud to support
The Friends of VADA:
a 501c3 raising awareness of and support for
the creative students of Santa Barbara High School.
