Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Designers are always seeking fresh inspiration—and California delivers in spades. With its broad spectrum of architectural styles, from Contemporary styles to classic Spanish and Craftsman architecture, the state offers a dynamic design playground. In this special DesignLens feature, we’ve curated some of our favorite exterior elevations across a variety of product types to spark ideas that can inspire your next project.

Flats & Towns at Covina Bowl in Covina, CA

Trumark Homes | WHA | CDC Designs | Urban Areas

Infill sites can be challenging between zoning requirements and opinionated neighbors. This is even more true when it's a historic site. Trumark and WHA collaborated with an architectural historian who helped the design team weave the history and design of the Covina Bowl into the new collections. The original colors of turquoise, gold, and coral were utilized on the residences as bold accent areas to complement the restoration of the historic bowling alley without being overpowering. Not only was the team inspired by the retro color scheme, but the Googie architecture also influenced the building massing and materials as well. Originating in Southern California, Googie architecture is a type of futurist architecture influenced by car culture, jets, the Atomic Age, and the Space Age. It was popular in the US from the mid-1940s to the early 1970s.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Villas at Los Coyotes Country Club in Buena Park, CA

Brookfield Residential | Bassenian Lagoni Architects | Chameleon Design | MJS Landscape Architecture

With the California's history and connection to Mexico and Spain, the Spanish architecture is popular and authentic to the area. Bassenian Lagoni Architects designed the Villas in a refined Spanish architectural style. Note key Spanish features like the smooth white stucco, red tile roof, and archways. While typically ornate, the ironwork here is sleek and simple to give the exterior a more modern touch. The arched porte-cochere is a thoughtful detail that conceals the shared driveway while providing a statement entry to the garages and juxtaposing the higher rooflines.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Terra Collection, The Landing at Tustin Legacy in Tustin, CA

Brookfield Residential | Robert Hidey Architects | Chameleon Design | C2 Collaborative

Consumers appetite for modern is growing around the country, but especially in some California markets. Terra is styled in a modern, classic elevation with bold, neutral color blocking. This contemporary look not only works well in The Landing community, but also suits the Surban™ atmosphere of the local area.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Ebb Tide in Newport Beach, CA

MBK Homes | KTGY | Design Tec | Studio PAD

Being a coastal state, California has embraced a variety of coastal aesthetics over the years. MBK worked with KTGY to create what they are calling "coastal contemporary" architecture that includes a smooth stucco finish with bold forms that appear to be wood but are actually tile (for better longevity). The design team used multiple materials on the elevations to enhance the massing. Great views equal a lot of windows, which even include the high-end glass panel garage doors.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Mulholland at Boulevard in Dublin, CA

Brookfield Residential | WHA | Unscripted Interior Design | Gates + Associates

Boulevard is another Surban™ community and embraces modern architecture throughout. Fresh modern elevations at Mulholland mix materials and roof lines to create an entirely modern collection with a diverse street scene. The staggered garage seen here not only adds diversity to the streetscene, but also creates a covered space for an additional car.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Elan at Altis in Beaumont, CA

Tri Pointe Homes | Bassenian Lagoni Architects | AI Design | AndersonBaron

The taste for modern has even expanded into active adult communities like Tri Pointe's Altis. Elan's Residence 3 is modeled in the “New Century Modern” style. Instead of Mid-Century Modern, the design team decided to do their take on the older style, but bring it to the “new century.” This elegant home includes angled roof lines, uniquely shaped windows, and a pop of color with the front door. The change of material on the center massing to square panels is a nice choice as is the use of the more modern garage door.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Juniper at Rienda in Rancho Mission Viejo, CA

Pulte Homes | Bassenian Lagoni Architects | FORMA

Rancho Mission Viejo has currated a community that is authentic to the region while feeling fresh and new. The design team for Juniper built the collection in three styles: Ranch, Prairie, and Farmhouse. Each style is enhanced through color and materials that make for an interesting street scene. The smallest and largest floor plans, Plan 1 and Plan 4 respectively, are grouped in one building, modeled in the Farmhouse style (seen here) with white stucco along the front and back of the home that gives it that California twist. Pale blue siding and stone accents along the sides ensure that the home looks good from every angle and black metal accents add a modern touch to the elevation.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Shimmer at One Lake in Fairfield, CA

Tri Pointe Homes | WHA | Pacific Dimensions Inc. | vanderToolen Associates

Shimmer features a mix of elevation styles: Bay Area Bungalow, Coastal Farmhouse, California Coastal, and Prairie. The design team wanted One Lake to feel different than other planned communities, including being a little more modern than others in the area. The design team integrated this in the architecture. The team thoughtfully selected the materials and fixtures to match each style. Plan 2 (seen here) is modeled in the Bay Area Bungalow style, which finds its inspiration in traditional craftsman homes.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Skye at River Islands in Lathrop, CA

Kiper Homes | WHA

Influenced by the popularity of more contemporary looks in the community, Skye's design team included a mix of more modern styles including California Modern, Modern Farmhouse, and Progressive Traditional. Residence 2 (seen here) is modeled in the Modern Farmhouse style. Note the mix of gabled rooflines, charming use of batten and board siding, and dark trim that beautifully contrasts the white home. By including a more transitional style that offers a modern take on a traditional style, the design team provided diversity to the collection while also not alienating those who love layouts but do not want a fully modern home.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Harbor View at Pacifica San Juan in San Juan Capistrano, CA

Toll Brothers | Woodley Architectural Group | CDC Designs | LandCreativeInc.

Harbor View is another example of integrating modern styles with transitional ones including modern farmhouse (seen here), prairie, and contemporary. The crisp white color scheme works well in the coastal environment, while the mix of materials and varied roof line add charm. This home highlights how farmhouse can be applied to a three-story, denser offering.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Cardiff at River Islands in Lathrop, CA

Signature Homes | WHA | California Design Consultants | O’Dell Engineering

Multiple California builders have embraced the modern farmhouse style and made it more authentic to the different regions in California. Residence 2 from Cardiff provides a great example of a regional take on modern farmhouse with the Western Regional Farmhouse style. Note the charming color of the home and the mix of batten and board siding along with stucco and brick.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Skylar at Valencia in Valencia, CA

Toll Brothers | BDB Design | Savannah Design Group | LandCreativeInc.

While the black and white modern farmhouse style that got popular years ago is still going strong in some parts of the country, many of the builders and designers have embraced more regionalized takes on the style. Note how this home mixes batten and board siding with stone and stucco, which gives it more of a California Ranch feel.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Skylar at Valencia in Valencia, CA

Toll Brothers | BDB Design | Savannah Design Group | LandCreativeInc.

The Skylar collection was inspired by the highly sought after modern styles offered in nearby Porter Ranch. The Prairie style seen here embraces the typical vertical elements of the style as well as the hipped roof. Note how the mix of materials adds appeal to the exterior of the home.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

The Cay at Mariner Shores in Newport Beach, CA

Shea Homes | IDEArc Architecture + Planning | CDC Designs | Urban Area

The design team created an upscale but laid-back coastal cottage vibe drawn from the surrounding Newport Beach area for the collection. The coastal Craftsman styled Montage resort in Laguna Beach was also an inspiration. Elevation styles in the community include Coastal Farmhouse, Beach Cottage, and Bay Camp. Notice how the exterior seen here embraces the beachy vibe with the palette and materials.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Shimmer at One Lake in Fairfield, CA

Tri Pointe Homes | WHA | Pacific Dimensions Inc. | VanderToolen Associates

The design team embraced the Northern California coast with their homes in the Shimmer collection. Note the mix of batten and board siding and the light sand finish stucco along with the Bahama or Bermuda shutters that bring the coastal feel to the home.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Fresco at Del Sol in Ventura, CA

Shea Homes | WHA | CDC Designs | L. Newman Design Group

Shea and WHA took the more classic coastal style and gave it a modern twist with this Progressive Coastal style. The home embraces color with muted ocean blue siding paired with white trim and a vibrant red door.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Fresco at Del Sol in Ventura, CA

Shea Homes | WHA | CDC Designs | L. Newman Design Group

The team did the same with the classic Spanish style and made their own "progressive" version. WHA’s Color Studio skillfully applied colors and materials to enhance the architectural features of each home like the pops of color in the front door and shutters, as well as the tile accent around one of the windows. This simplified Spanish style benefits from a charming front porch complete with arched opening and thoughtful detailing like the tile around the lower right window.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Sky Ranch in Ladera Ranch, CA

The New Home Company | EBTA Architects | Meridian Interiors | C2 Collaborative

Luxury homes are able to embrace a level of authenticity that brings a richness and complexity to the homes. This home features the Spanish revival elevations style. This model features a mix of smooth stucco, light colored brickwork, arches, and the distinctive red tile roof. The layered entry is true to the Spanish revival style. This thoughtfully detailed vestibule opens on an entry courtyard that leads to the front door, creating a grand entry statement.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Docente at Old School House in Claremont, CA

Intracorp | WHA | withINdesign | Land Concern

Docente is done in the Spanish Colonial style, which was encouraged by the City of Claremont to maintain consistency with the architectural elements at the nearby Old School House Shopping Center. Historical preservation in Claremont is particularly important and a big part of the City’s culture. The project needed to fit into the surrounding neighborhood, which is predominantly Spanish architecture. The City’s architectural guidelines were utilized to guide the building design including ornamental iron detailing, covered loggias for shade, entry porticos, balconies, drought tolerant landscaping, and public art.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Citrine at PGA WEST® in La Quinta, CA

Woodbridge Pacific Group | Hannouche Architects Inc. | Chameleon Design

After it's heyday in the early 2000s, Tuscan still is popular in many areas of California. Residence 7 is modeled in a Tuscan style with stone detailing on the tower and around the base of the home that adds interest to the stucco facade.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Goldenpeak at Narra Hills on North Fontana, CA

Landsea Homes Corporation | DAHLIN | Unscripted Interior Design | SJA, Inc.

While typically a more traditional market, the team introduced contemporary architecture with this collection. According to the builder, buyers and potential buyers love it. To create the collection, Landsea Homes not only met with DAHLIN, but included the interior designer and landscape architect in a large collaborative session, so that the plans would be complementary. Note how the team utilized the roof lines to bring a more modern feel to the home with both angled and flat roofs. The porch is defined by utilizing a lower flat roof and brick.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Vistas at Mockingbird Canyon in Riverside, CA

Trumark Homes | Mark Gross & Associates | CDC Designs | SJA, Inc.

How do you integrate an RV garage without making the home to garage dominant? By tucking back and detaching it, Trumark avoids the disproportionate look so many RV garages create. The wide front of the home also helps balance the garage.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Willow at Rienda in Rancho Mission Viejo, CA

Trumark Homes | Bassenian Lagoni Architects | Rooms Interiors | BGB Design Group

The architectural styles at Willow provide a fresh interpretation of classic themes while allowing for a more attainable approach with simple and elegant building forms and details that are still instantly recognizable to their historic roots. Trumark utilized Contemporary, Progressive Spanish, and Prairie elevation styles. Trumark highlighted the model homes, seen here, in the Contemporary style, which mixes color and materials for a vibrant building.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Hyde at NUVO Parkside in Ontario, CA

The New Home Company | Bassenian Lagoni Architects | Studio Mosaic

Bassenian Lagoni wanted to design homes with recognizable forms and simplicity that gives them a more contemporary touch. The mix of material and color gives each home more character and individuality, while four-sided architecture ensures the homes are appealing from any perspective, be it street, paseo, or side yard.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Borelle at One 90 in San Mateo, CA

Pulte Homes

The team’s goal for this collection was to create homes that are consumer inspired, functional across multiple demographics, and timeless. The design for One 90 was influenced by urban architectural styles pulling from the existing architectural fabric of the site and surrounding neighborhood. The homes in the Borelle collection are either done in Farmhouse or what Pulte calls “Bay Area Classic.” These styles allowed the architecture to vary in scale and massing, incorporating board and batten and horizontal siding as well as stucco cladding.

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Special Feature: Inspirational Elevations from California

Location