Son Sereno is an Architectural Gem in Santa Ynez Wine Country

Santa Ynez, California — When Son Sereno's owners decided to build a site-specific modern residence on 116 acres in the Santa Ynez Valley, they sought out Michael Palladino of the acclaimed architectural firm Richard Meier & Partners, which had been the principal architect of the J. Paul Getty complex in Los Angeles.

Palladino's intent was to create a sophisticated contemporary house—with form following function—using local materials to integrate the home with its environment, while at the same time updating ranch typology to accommodate a modern lifestyle. The result is a harmoniously scaled residence featuring rooms suffused with natural light and wide windows positioned to frame spectacular panoramas.

"Son Sereno is a prime example of architecture as a work of art that still remains beautifully livable," says Carey Kendall, of Village Properties, Realtors in Montecito, Calif. He notes that the estate's two-year building process required an unusual level of precision and workmanship from the contractor and his crew. For example, inside the residence the elegant ceilings of the living, dining, and family rooms were created using custom-designed wooden beams carved in a wave-like shape. These waves crest at 14 feet in height, and terminate in motorized clerestory windows that open to capture soothing breezes.

"Son Sereno is unique in the region," adds Zackary Wright of Christie's International Real Estate. "For those who appreciate modern design, it's one of Santa Barbara County's contemporary masterpieces."

Wright adds that Son Sereno is more than a trophy architectural achievement, it is a functioning equestrian property with a riding arena, exercise track, paddocks, and an eight-stall center-aisle horse barn with a tack room and washing and grooming area, as well as a large hay and equipment barn. Surrounded by boutique wineries, Son Sereno's 116-acre expanse also includes irrigated pastures and an employee house, endowing it with the potential to be a vineyard or working farm.