A distinctive form of Modernist design emerged along California’s Big Sur coast in the postwar era—remote, rugged, and far from the design hubs of San Francisco and Los Angeles. This dramatic setting, known for inspiring writers like John Steinbeck and photographers like Edward Weston, also fueled the creativity of architects who sought a more organic, site-sensitive approach to building. The pristine coastline, buffeted by winter storms, encouraged an architecture of protection from the elements, in contrast to the walls of glass of Southern California Modernism.

Frank Lloyd Wright brought his organic approach to California’s coast in 1948 with his “cabin on the rocks”, house in Carmel. The low-slung house, with a plinth of Carmel Stone, redwood siding, and copper-clad roof helped set an architectural precedent for building on sensitive sites. Successors of Wright, including architects Mark Mills, George Brook-Kothlow, Mickey Muennig, Will Shaw, Henry Hill and Rowan Maiden invented a new approach to working in the sensitive wilderness environment of the Big Sur Coast at the dawn of the environmental movement. Often taking a hands-on approach to building their projects, these architects eschewed traditional forms in favor of organic shapes molded to the contours of the land. They were inspired to use local ‘found’ materials, such as reclaimed redwood timbers from decommissioned bridges, with earth-sheltered roofs for the homes they designed—and occasionally built themselves.

Colin Flavin, AIA, is the Founding Principal of Flavin Architects. He directs the design of the firm’s residential projects and has cultivated the firm’s unique design approach of Natural Modernism. Colin presented at Modernism Week on Six Moon Hill and Twin Palms (2025), Restoring Midcentury Modern Homes (2023), and East Coast vs West Coast Modernist House Design (2022).

Halsey Smith is the Marketing Manager of Flavin Architects. She writes and creates content for all of Flavin Architects’ online platforms and is a contributing co-writer for Houzz. Halsey presented at Modernism Week on Six Moon Hill and Twin Palms, two Early Midcentury Modern communities on the East and West Coasts (2025).

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