But you can still get tickets – here’s how!
This will show you where the homes are today. (There’s also a Google map here and at the bottom of this page.)
You can also buy tickets at the door of any Tour home starting 11am. Tickets are $50 cash each, or checks to “Modern Home Tours LLC.”
Visit the homes in any order you wish, & THANKS FOR SUPPORTING LOCAL ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN!
You know “that house” you pass by every day?
The San Diego Modern Home Tour is your chance to GET INSIDE and meet the architects, builders and designers that made it happen – and maybe even ask a question or two about your that special project playing around in the back of your own mind!
It’s as easy as:
1) Click here to get your tickets
2) About 24 hours before Tour day begins, check your email for our printable map and any last minute instructions
3) Starting at 11AM on Tour day, visit the homes in any order you wish and at your open pace. Meet the architects and designers, and find inspiration for your own modern lifestyle!
Inspired by the clean curved lines of modern architecture we saw during our international travels. The ocean and the graceful Italian stone pine played a big role in the process.
Bluhaus is a luxurious, yet affordable retreat in the quiet residential blocks of Pacific Beach. This 2BR/2BA beach condo was completely gutted, re-imagined, and rebuilt in 2018.
The ultra-modern interior has an open floor plan that combines living, dining and food prep. It includes a European style chef’s kitchen with an elegant glass tile back splash and an island with a waterfall-style quartz countertop. The bathrooms feature elegant Italian tile and modern high-quality fixtures.
A bold color scheme references the location near the beach. Walls “float” over a reveal base painted in the unit’s signature blue – a reference to the nearby ocean. Easy-to-clean driftwood style flooring adds to the ‘beachy’ vibe.
Accent walls in the bedrooms are beach themed as well. In the master suite, a large, lockable barn door separates bedroom from the en-suite.
Large windows allow lots of natural light into the unit. In the evenings, LED lighting throughout provides a multitude of lighting options for any mood. Modern ceiling fans keep the unit cool on hot days, while two balconies offer plenty of outdoor space to enjoy the famed weather.
Renovation: Jackson Design and Remodeling Inc.
Photography: Courtesy Jackson Design and Remodeling Inc.
The architecture of this striking home reaches toward the nearby ocean from every angle. The extensive whole home remodel was designed for a couple with two children who moved from a rural environment and wanted to embrace coastal living in their stunning home situated in a quirky bohemian beach town. The couple appreciated the history of the existing adobe and wanted to retain some of its character. They’re also art lovers who are inspired by color and creative ideas.
The new design integrates the original adobe home on either side. The architectural design and colors of the home are inspired by the artist Mondrian, known for bold hues and disciplined geometrics.
The modern structure seems to push through the existing adobe, like the future accelerating from the past. Designing with this metaphor helped to meet the challenge of introducing a modern approach while retaining the character of the original adobe structure. Taking advantage of its location on a slope that affords incredible views of the ocean, the architecture was designed as high as possible within coastal restrictions. Meticulous care was necessary during the new construction to keep the old adobe walls intact.
Inside the home, precise attention to proportion and a courageous palette emphasize an artistic point of view. The space feels open and unified while elements of the design subtly designate a purpose for each area. Large sliding glass doors leading to the deck expand the space visually and connect it to the ocean.
Renovation: Jackson Design and Remodeling Inc.
Photography: Courtesy Jackson Design and Remodeling Inc.
Built for a youthful retired couple with a strategically considered design plan, this innovative home integrates thoughtful elements that will make it easier to age in place while surrounded by beautiful contemporary, minimalist design. The couple wanted their home to take advantage of stunning ocean views and embody an indoor/outdoor lifestyle. Bold yet simple, this custom home was meticulously designed and built with the close collaboration of the owners to dramatically enhance their lifestyles today and into the future.
The original home had an excellent location with rejuvenating fresh air from the nearby ocean, but it was necessary to completely remodel the home with just a few walls left up from the original structure. It was essential to integrate elements of universal design and aging-in-place in a subtle way that did not distract from the clean minimalism of the home.
The exterior balances contrasting materials – stucco, corrugated metal, and porcelain tile with the appearance of wood plank. Carefully composed horizontal shapes create compelling curb appeal. The front entry incorporates a seating area that extends the living room into the outdoors. A subtle ramp on the side of the main entry will accommodate any future accessibility needs.
Inside, the highly contemporary minimalist architecture emphasizes simplicity and clean horizontal lines, with a subtle color palette and restrained details. The home is oriented to the West and integrates many large windows to fully appreciate the amazing natural surroundings. The windows in the home all feature lower ventilation to keep the views unobstructed. An outdoor living space with a full kitchen is designed to be used in almost any weather with some open and some enclosed areas, along with heating elements and fans.
This beautiful home expresses the owners’ love of minimalist design and their gratitude for beautiful natural surroundings that promote health and well-being.
Design & Build: Nakhshab Development & Design
Photography: Courtesy Nakhshab Development & Design
Award winning firm Nakhshab Development & Design, Inc. (NDD) introduces four eco-friendly, mid-century modern-inspired townhomes. Spectacular skyline views and sleek, inviting layouts are the focal point of these energy-efficient residences. Personal roof decks with built in barbecues and hot tubs ensure private entertainment options while garage stalls provide off-street parking and additional storage. In-unit elevators allow for ease of use in these three-story homes.
These spectacular homes offer urban living at its finest–walking distance from Balboa Park and Little Italy, and just minutes from San Diego bay, beaches, downtown and the airport.
Design: Arise Interiors
Photography: Jim Brady Photography
This Bay Park home was typical of the post-war GI housing build at the time. At just under 900 square feet there were 3 bedrooms and one bath which created cramped in-efficient spaces. A master suite was added in 2009 and a substantial second story addition was completed just last year. Given the home’s style was insignificant the design purposefully contrasts the existing architecture, while leaving some elements of the original home visible.
The exterior is clad in steel which has taken on a rust patina that contrasts the stucco portions of the original home. The modern style encapsulates and wraps front room that still hold the tell-tale lines of the mid-century economy building.
Design: Sol Quintana Design
Builder: Miguel Rodriguez Construction
Residential Designer : Stephanie Lupton
Design Collaboration: Pam Johnston – Serendipity Design
Staging by: 1st Stage
Photography: Brady Spear -Spearhead Media
Situated in the Palisades of La Jolla, this Mid-century modern William Lumpkins residence has been brought to life with new luxurious materials. The state-of-the-art redesign has been scaled to perfection with blue ocean views and gorgeous designer finishes. The expansive main level features a gourmet chef’s island kitchen with quartzite countertop inclusive of a custom dining area and master suite which flows to the outdoor terraces. Enjoy multiple entertaining areas with pool, outdoor shower, and more.
From the moment you arrive at this home, you will experience and feel the quality; every detail was carefully planned and thought out, from the open concept floor plan to the custom finish material choices meant to unify the property.
The grand front pivot door entry is privately hidden from the street and flows into the main floor that features the great room covered in wood floors and modern fireplace with stunning open wood beam ceilings.
The gourmet kitchen features a mix of custom cabinetry with gray luxe supermat doors and walnut stained wood doors with soft close European Blum hinges. Top of the line appliance package includes a 48″ Wolf range, 48″ counter depth Subzero refrigerator-freezer, Bosch dishwasher, and additional wine/beverage coolers throughout. Don’t forget your custom laundry room complete with Whirlpool washer/dryer package and dog washing station. Also on the main floor: the master suite which includes a stunning 3D tiled fireplace and a spa-like bath with wall to wall Calcutta marble, soaking tub, and heated floors, finished custom walk-in closet and dual master shower. Two generous bedroom suites with Jack-and-Jill bath, luxurious powder room, dedicated office with separate nanny suite off the garage complete the first floor. The lower levels consist of a bedroom suite and media room as well as an indoor-outdoor pool room with wet bar and glass pocket doors that lead to a fully remodeled pool area. The various outdoor areas are a great place to entertain an relax. The decks showcase large format tile and custom-built iron railings with open riser wood staircases that lead to the pool area which features projection outdoor movie capabilities for summertime fun. Enjoy sunset and ocean views as well as skyline views to downtown San Diego.
Architecture + Interiors: domusstudio
Photography: Jim Brady Architectural Photography
Transparency!
In 1963, renowned San Diego Modernist Architect Homer Delawie, A.I.A. designed the Brandon-Beaver Building, located at 2800 Third Avenue in Bankers Hill. The medical office building was poised on the edge of Maple canyon with prominent views across the historic 1911 First Avenue Bridge, where it served the community for over 50 years. Over time, the building was infilled, overgrown with vegetation, and became a visual blockage from the neighborhood to the canyon beyond. After several attempts by developers to purchase, demolish and develop the site, the building was purchased and renovated in 2017 maintaining the neighborhood scale of the building.
While the Mid-Century Modern Architecture was preserved, the building became transparent by adding windows on all sides and removing all the interior walls, opening the views and the canyon to the neighborhood through the building. The former building looked abandoned and the grounds were a hangout for drug dealers and homeless. The repurposed building has revitalized the neighborhood at the end of Third and Olive. From the bridge view, it has visually lightened its footprint by painting the base dark, giving the illusion that the building is floating over the canyon. It’s not often that a building project subtracts, rather than adds to the built environment.
The building is located adjacent to the pending Olive Street Pocket Park.
A note from the homeowners:
The project of designing our home started 15 years ago with architect Kirk O’Brien. We were inspired by the clean curved lines of modern architecture we saw during our international travels. The ocean and our graceful Italian stone pine played a big role in the process. The commercial windows and floor plan were designed to make the most of our ocean and sunset views. The curved roof lines were chosen to harmonize with the flow of the spectacular canopy of our mighty pine. The layout of the open floor plan was created to accommodate celebrating with large groups of family and friends, as well as intimate gatherings around the kitchen island or in front of a cozy fire. The upstairs kid-friendly family room has witnessed many pool and video game tournaments. The easily exchangeable carpet tiles make for carefree living. This space expands, allowing for indoor/outdoor entertaining. Balconies on either end open to views of the ocean or overlooking the pool. The window layout utilizes the sea breeze for natural cooling. The massive umbrella from our tree provides us shade from the afternoon sun. The home’s flat roofs catch the warmth of the San Diego sun to heat our pool and the rainwater to help our drought-tolerant landscaping.
We hope you enjoy exploring our modern Sunset Cliffs tree house!
It’s easy! Just buy your tickets, then about 48 hours before the Tour you’ll receive an email with links to your Tour map. Then, on Tour day, start at any house and proceed in any order at your own pace to the homes that interest you the most – or to all of them!
Unfortunately due to repeated issues, we must request that no children under 10 attend the Tour. This is a new restriction for 2019, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. However, we do realize that some of our best guests are aspiring architects and designers and we therefore invite kids 12 and up to learn about the exciting world of architecture and design!
Giving back to the communities and homeowners that so generously welcome us every year is one of the most important things we do. That’s why we partner with a housing or education organization in every Tour city, and why we are working to establish a scholarship fund for aspiring architects and designers.
