Explore The 2024 Tour Homes
Showcasing Amazing Examples of Modern Architecture Today!
The 2024 San Diego Modern Home Tour
11.9.24
10am - 4pm
cover image: 2024 Tour home by ZEE Deisgn
How It Works
02 Watch For Your Tour Map
About 48 hours before Tour Day, watch your email for a printable PDF map and info packet, as well as links to a dynamic online map for easy navigation.
03 Preview The Homes Below!
04 Visit the Homes on Tour Day
Travel at your own pace as you visit the homes in any order you wish between 10 AM and 4 PM on Saturday only. Enjoy the opportunity to explore at your own pace, meet the architects, designers, and builders, ask questions and get inspired!
Explore The 2024 Tour Homes
Legacy Hester in Del Cerro
Henry H. Hester, during a forty-year career, produced a significant body of extraordinary design accomplishments which were honored by AIA design awards on both the national and local levels. Mr. Hester had significant influence in introducing modernism to the San Diego region. His designs were known for their simplicity, clean lines, and unwavering attention to detail. His work is as crisp and timely today as it was at the time of its construction.
The house was originally built for the Solomon Family in 1964. The particular site chosen for this home had a stunning view to the ocean. Mr. Hester oriented the house to capture the views of the Coronado Islands and Point Loma (the view of the Coronado Bridge and the Downtown Skyline would come years later). The topography of the site, with its unforgiving granite boulders, led to the unique design of the front pool courtyard and the elevated master bedroom above the entryway.
The current owners are only the third occupants of this Hester House. In the 90’s, the prior owners did a significant remodel that neglected to conserve the Mid Century Modern elements that are having a renaissance today. The current owners set out to bring back some of the original MCM feel while still keeping the house modern and open for today’s lifestyle.
Originally built with a tennis court that included 20 foot street style lights and an 18 foot chain-link fence surrounding it, the current owners built a new building that contains a large garage with 2 car lifts and a “bicycle garage” facing the street. On the back of the garage is a gym/party room. The back half of the tennis court was preserved for a pickleball court.
images: Jamie Leasure / MA+DS
ANOTHERericjohnson
Built above a quintessential 1950’s beach house, this addition uses a wooden post and beam structure to float above the existing. This delicate approach to an addition allowed for the integrity of the original home to be maintained and secretly emerge as you enter its preserved space. The existing grid is traced upward and influences the layout above where a tightly designed 3 bedroom 3 bath sits perched looking west.
From the exterior, the roofline is reminiscent of the many green houses that once populated Encinitas; providing a new take on an old familiar form. Once within, this same roofline opens to the west and captures views and breezes. A cleverly positioned “porch” sits at this end, utilizing apertures to bring in ocean views, light, and air. Openings are layered and the threshold is slowly defined and undefined as you move from exterior to interior through opaque and transparent passages. A small tightly designed interior family space feels open and airy in the summer as the house expands, and contracts and comforts as it is enclosed in the winter – all through the help of a large slider.
images: Jeremy Artates: Landform Photography
True North PB
This home was one of 77 homes that was designated in the La Jolla Foothills subdivision that recorded on June 3, 1961. Early records show the house was built in 1963. This project was one of the early developments by Tech-Bilt, whose president was Paul Tchang.
Prolific Post War architect, Edward H. Fickett designed these homes. He designed more than 60,000 post-war homes, pioneering and promoting Modernism. Better Homes and Gardens declared Fickett the Frank Lloyd Wright of the 1950s.
Although just a few yards from the La Jolla zip code, don’t be fooled – this beauty is in Pacific Beach!
Approximately 2400 sf with 4 bedrooms + 2.5 baths, the house sits on a 10,000 sf lot. It was originally purchased by a couple (with no children) from the developer. The owners “gently” lived in house until sold to the current owner in 2009. Although the entire home was near-pristine and needed little to no work to showcase it’s authentic MCM character and finishes, it has since been updated over the past years to modern conveniences while keeping a firm nod to the Mid-Century roots and retaining originality when possible.
The railings, rock garden and block brick in the home are original and indicative of true Mid-Century Modern design. The main bedroom was originally designed in the loft (yes, an open loft) and is still used as the main suite. Although unconventional, the views to the bay, the coast and as far as Mexico, are unbeatable.
Take a stroll to the side yard and note the kidney shaped pool that was constructed in the early 60’s which was the popular design of that time.
images: James Leasure / MA+DS
J Walsh Construction
Sitting high above the harbor, with views of Downtown, the Airport, Coronado, Mexico, the Harbor and beyond, this home is carved into the hillside with a foundation system 27 feet deep!
Featuring concrete cantilevers, major retaining walls, a driveway contoured down the slope, 13′ floor to ceiling glass, private decks, and encompassing approximately 6000 SF of indoor and covered living space and sleek contemporary design.
This brand new modern masterpiece features an upstairs entry with astounding views from the lower living level. Accented by an ultracontemporary materials palette and challenging structural and engineering solutions, this home defines state-of-the-art new modern builds in San Diego.
Architecture and Renderings by Daniel Geiger Design. Temporary Images courtesy J Walsh Construction
Timeless Renovation of Historic La Jolla Gem - VIP TICKETS ONLY
Builder: J Walsh Construction
Sorry – Due to limited site access and homeowner requests, this home is accessible ONLY to VIP Ticket holders. VIP Tickets are SOLD OUT. We are trying to get approval on a virtual Tour option for all Tourgoers to enjoy!
JWC collaborated with internationally-practiced architect Studio CABAN on a major design-build effort involving a significant addition to, and complete renovation of, this 1962 Henry Hester home with a spectacular view near the top of Mt. Soledad.
The home is elevated on the hillside with a one-of-a-kind vista looking north, straight up the San Diego coastline from La Jolla Shores and Black’s Beach all the way to Dana Point in Orange County.
In that great paradox of minimalism within the built environment, JWC worked with CABAN and the property owner for hundreds of hours to refine and shape a design with the appearance of simplicity. JWC crafted bespoke woodwork throughout spaces inspired by Japanese architecture and contemporary design. The resulting lack of visual complication and the consistent material palette belie the rigorous planning and detailing JWC and CABAN put into the project.
The aesthetic is anchored by Douglas Fir and maple millwork, flush doors with invisible hinges, black soapstone, custom cement plaster, a Japanese soaking tub, black steel metal work and a series of custom screens – some movable – collectively giving both flexibility and definition to the experience of the living areas.
Despite appearing to be a single level when approached from the entry, the home is over 4000 SF and, due to positioning on a steep hillside, creates spectacular visual drama due to a wall of picture glass and a three-level deck – both of which beckon the user as they approach, as if one can step out to the horizon and the ocean beyond.
Images: James Leasure / MA+DS
Cheers to our Community Partner!
Potomac Views
Treats, bubbly, and music!!
Let's Go On A Journey To Find Inspiration!
Tour the homes. Meet the architects, homeowners, and designers, and Get Inspired! The 2024 San Diego Modern Home Tour benefiting Autism Tree takes you inside of the coolest modern homes, and face-to-face with the creative geniuses that live in them, appreciate them, and make them a reality!