Two of the Wheelers' four daughters work several hours a day in the guest pavilion, helping their parents run the family business. The couple's many grandchildren are never bored here, because it's an endless exploration of such a vast property.
Two smaller pavilions, in basalt stone and with four-pitch roofs, are located on either side of the main building, which contains the pool and gym.
Transitions between buildings have curved earthwork walls that combine with ponds, courtyards and terraces to form a spectacular unity of indoor and outdoor spaces.
Open-plan living, dining and kitchen areas flooded with daylight through panoramic windows. Impressive sculptural ceiling contributes to the visual division of the room into zones.
Custom-made furnishings, an abundance of natural textures, and the absence of solid walls allow residents to fully experience the benefits of the residence.
Susanna Hunt managed to create a surprisingly harmonious image, able to bring joy and satisfaction every day. Tena Wheeler is still undecided as to which part of the house she likes best.
Pictured here is the main entrance to the central pavilion, which contains the living room, dining room, library, conservatory and master bedroom with bathroom.
The home office is set up in the living room, but separated from the seating area by asymmetrical open shelving featuring Japanese figurines and ceramics from the Wheelers' personal collection.
The house is partially cut into one of the hillsides, greatly expanding the options for passive design. The interior of the pavilions is naturally sheltered from strong winds, blazing sun and nearby highway noise.
The master bedroom in the main pavilion looks like a fashionable resort, and its comfort level matches that impression. At least having a separate bathroom and walk-in closet speaks for itself.
Blinds let in air circulation, which is especially important on hot days.
Frameless corner windows distort the visual perception of an already complexly constructed space. The sky reflects in the smooth surface of the travertine tiles, making them as unstable as the water in the ponds close to the house.
Bedroom, kitchen and home office in one of two smaller pavilions.
In general, almost all of the materials used for this project are of local origin.
Today, long after the house was completed, the Wheeler family has no doubt the home will be comfortable, comfortable and modern for at least decades to come, with no major construction changes or financial investment necessary.
