Bel Air Estate – Stradella: A Floating Sanctuary in the Hills

Bel Air Estate – Stradella: A Floating Sanctuary in the Hills — IADA 2026 award

Bel Air Estate – Stradella: A Floating Sanctuary in the Hills received Honorable Mention recognition at the International Architecture & Design Awards 2026 in Architecture. Project status, design team and credits are listed alongside the presentation.

About the project

Bel Air Estate – Stradella

Perched on a secluded, tree-lined hillside in one of Los Angeles’ most coveted enclaves, the Stradella Estate embodies the essence of contemporary California living—where architecture, landscape, and atmosphere are designed to move in harmony. Conceived as a floating sanctuary, the home’s dramatic cantilevered forms appear to hover above the hills, capturing panoramic views that stretch from Downtown Los Angeles to the distant shimmer of the Pacific Ocean.

From the moment one enters the estate, the design intent is clear: dissolve boundaries, elevate stillness, and allow the natural world to animate every space. Expansive retracting glass walls open the home entirely to sunlight, breezes, and shifting horizons. Throughout the residence, a restrained palette of warm woods, natural stone, soft plaster, and sculptural lighting creates an environment that is both modern and deeply calming. The architecture never shouts; it breathes.

Outdoor living unfolds across three cascading terraces that transition seamlessly from the main living areas. Each terrace offers a unique vantage point—spaces to entertain, dine, gather, or retreat into quiet reflection. Whether embracing the golden hours of dawn or dusk, the terraces turn the landscape into an ever-changing extension of the home.

Below, a dedicated wellness level transforms everyday living into a ritual of restoration. A state-of-the-art fitness suite, steam and sauna rooms, and a 73-foot infinity-edged pool establish a private spa experience suspended above the city. Here, the line between built form and natural horizon blurs, offering residents a sense of serenity rarely found within Los Angeles.

The Stradella Estate is more than an architectural achievement—it is a living sculpture shaped by light, nature, and intention. Every line, every detail, and every material choice supports a lifestyle centered on clarity, connection, and calm. It stands not simply as a residence but as a sanctuary: a place to breathe, rejuvenate, and experience the quiet luxury of space and sky.

Bowery Design Group

Bowery Design Group is an international award-winning full service architectural and design firm based in Los Angeles.

We specialize in high-end modern homes throughout Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Bel Air and Malibu, as well as other parts of the U.S. and several countries internationally. Our approach is a multi-faceted one, simultaneously envisioning and creating world class showpiece homes without losing focus on minute details required to realize any successful project.

With a diverse international clientele of both developers and custom home owners alike, our wealth of experience is invaluable in maximizing value while maintaining the bottom line.

We look forward to working with you.