Hubbell & Hubbell is honored to be featured in a February 19th, 2026 article in San Diego Magazine! The article, written by Dirk Sutro and titled “Home Tour: Inside Escondido’s Stunning Net-Zero Sanctuary,” discusses the Serenity Project, recently completed in 2025.

“Sustainable elements—such as concrete floors that retain heat from low winter sun and a roof of insulated panels that stabilize interior temperatures year-round—are integral to the architecture and help it achieve ‘net zero,’ meaning the home produces all the energy it needs, drawing none from the grid.”

The entire interior of the home is an open concept, double-height space with a curved ceiling and beams above. The curved roof is made from Foam Core Sandwich Panels and the walls encompassing the house are Insulating Composite Concrete Form (ICCF). Both of these materials are sustainable and resilient.

Above the patio, the curved roof maximizes shade to prevent the home from absorbing too much heat. Around the exterior of the home, the existing manzanitas trees and native brush plants were preserved to minimize the impact on the natural habitat.

The owner of the home reflects in the article:
“‘A friend and I sat on top of a boulder one evening and said, ‘Let’s see what the land says to us,’” Blake recalls. “The house is rounded like the land. I set out with the intention of creating an experience that embraces humanity’s oneness with nature, moments of peace, moments of reflection, moments of serenity under the oaks. Every line and every detail gives a sense of movement like one gets from the terrain, the boulders, the wind, the natural landscape.”

“As did his dad, Drew Hubbell encourages creative teamwork. He was a perfect fit with Blake, an energetic, hands-on client who spent many days onsite during construction. She made several suggestions that were incorporated into the design, including a roof curved like surrounding boulders, spotlights that showcase those commanding rocks, and a freestanding tiled wall that wraps around a cozy shower in the primary suite.”

“Wood-and-stained-glass front doors lead into a relatively modest home—three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, 2,492 square feet—that feels much larger thanks to tall ceilings; open interiors; and expansive, unobstructed views. Stunning entry doors are Hubbell & Hubbell’s signature, and many of them, including these, were crafted by Dan Thoner…”

“As an experiment in green design, the Serenity house is a harmonious marriage of beauty and sustainability. A couple years ago, Blake and Drew presented it to the San Diego Green Building Council as a case study in green design, and last year, the County Board of Supervisors proclaimed June 3 as Serenity Project Day.”

“It’s the opposite of nearby sites where owners cut down mature oaks and manzanita, broke up ancient boulders and hauled away the pieces, and bulldozed the landscape into flat pads. By contrast, Blake’s home-sweet-home is a living part of a landscape occupied for millenia by the Kumeyaay, who built their lives around nature. It’s exactly what James Hubbell meant by jubilant architecture.”

Thank you San Diego Magazine!
Serenity Project Design Team: Drew Hubbell & Mykaela Scarpace
Other contributing designers: Joi Lin Blake & David Morelock
General Contractor: Pat Lawrence
Project Manager: Ed Earl – Priority One Project Management

Read the full article here.
Read more about this project here.