Highlighting standout local projects like the Orum Residence and The Bronze House on Nightingale, Pali explains how these subterranean designs maximize land use, ensure privacy, and promote sustainability. As urban spaces grow denser, iceberg homes offer a clever solution to zoning challenges while pushing the boundaries of architectural innovation.
What is your overall perspective on the concept of “iceberg” homes, where significant portions of the property are built underground?
The concept of “iceberg” homes captivates me because it presents a unique canvas for design innovation. By building significant portions of a property underground, we’re able to maximize land use in a way that feels both discreet and expansive.
Initially, the idea of creating extensive below-grade spaces emerged as a response to increasingly stringent zoning and planning regulations. As cities imposed limits on Residential Floor Area (RFA) and Floor Area Ratios (FARs), owners and builders had to find inventive ways to maximize both their investments and the functional space of a home.
At first, it was as simple as relocating programmatic elements like theaters and gyms — spaces that don’t rely on natural light — into basements, since their square footage was often exempt from area calculations. However, as demand grew and regulations became more restrictive, we realized that even more spaces needed to be “sunken” to accommodate modern living. At the same time, it became clear that thoughtful design was essential, not only to respect the community and preserve surrounding views but also to ensure that these underground spaces felt like an integrated, intentional part of the home.
Inherently, the strategy allows us to create expansive, private spaces that are concealed from view, more seamlessly blending in with the environment above ground. It’s not just about adding more space; it’s about shaping a living experience that feels both voluminous and intimate, with an emphasis on privacy and sustainability. Iceberg homes offer a fascinating interplay between architecture and nature, where we are not just building on the land but within it, which brings its own set of challenges and rewards. Ultimately, these homes aren’t just about luxury—they’re about rethinking how we inhabit our environment.
Have you designed any homes with significant underground elements?
Yes, I’ve designed homes with significant underground elements, and one of the most notable examples is the Orum Residence in Los Angeles, completed in 2018. This 18,800-square-foot home is perched on a challenging site in Bel Air with sweeping views of the Los Angeles Basin, and the design had to respect these views while offering a substantial amount of living space. To achieve this, nearly half of the home’s square footage is hidden underground, allowing the structure to blend subtly into the hillside rather than dominate it.
The underground portion of Orum Residence houses much of the home’s private and recreational spaces, creating a sanctuary away from the public eye. The basement level features a home theater, gym, spa, cedar sauna, service kitchen, and a wine room that holds a thousand bottles. These spaces are designed to be both luxurious and intimate while maintaining a connection to the rest of the home through natural light and views. A central triangular floating stairway, capped with a large skylight, connects all three levels and brings light down to the center of the below-grade spaces, ensuring that even the underground areas feel open and inviting.
The design allows the home to integrate naturally into its surroundings and feel cozy despite its size. The result is a residence that is deeply connected to its environment while offering complete privacy, making it a quintessential example of the iceberg home concept and showcasing the potential of thoughtful design and engineering.
The Bronze House on Nightingale is another intriguing project where the majority of the 13,500-square-foot home is situated below grade (or underground). The main level, approximately 5,500 square feet, includes the primary living spaces, kitchen, master bedroom, one guest bedroom, and an office. Below, you’ll find additional guest rooms, staff quarters, a wellness area, a working kitchen, and mechanical systems. These lower spaces are anchored by a 100-foot-long atrium with a retractable skylight that spans its entire length, connecting the basement to the main floor. When fully open, the atrium makes the basement feel like an outdoor space, while rain sensors ensure the skylight automatically closes if needed. Glass stairs, walkways, and bridges allow natural light to filter throughout the basement, enhancing the openness and making the underground areas feel bright and connected to the outside world.
The Bronze House.
In your experience, what are the benefits and potential drawbacks of incorporating extensive underground elements in a residential design?
One of the greatest benefits of incorporating underground elements is the ability to maximize land use. It allows us to create additional living areas without expanding the footprint of the home above ground, which is particularly valuable in areas with strict zoning laws or limited land availability. Subterranean levels also offer unmatched privacy and security, as these spaces are naturally shielded from outside view, which is especially appealing in densely populated or high-profile neighborhoods.
Additionally, underground spaces benefit from the earth’s natural insulation, providing more consistent temperatures and reducing energy costs for heating and cooling, contributing to the overall sustainability of the home. The sound insulation is another advantage, making these spaces ideal for home theaters, music rooms, or private clubs where noise reduction is essential.
In terms of challenges, building underground is technically demanding and often requires specialized engineering which can increase costs and extend timelines. Waterproofing and drainage are critical to prevent water intrusion, requiring meticulous design and maintenance, adding to the complexity and cost. Plus, access to natural light is limited, so it’s essential to incorporate creative solutions like light wells, skylights, or advanced artificial lighting systems to make these spaces feel inviting.
How would you approach balancing aesthetics and functionality when designing the subterranean spaces of an iceberg home?
In every home I design, clarity is at the core of every decision. In an “iceberg” home, this becomes even more crucial. The relationship between the above-ground and below-ground portions must be seamless, direct, and clear. To achieve this, we always create a vertical, volumetric connection through all levels of the house, fostering a natural flow that gives users a sense of cohesion. These vertical connections, similar to atriums, allow light to filter down into the lower spaces, balancing it with the spaces utilizing daylighting positioned at the edges of the site’s slope.
When balancing aesthetics and functionality, it’s important to understand the specific purpose of each underground space. Whether it’s a wine cellar, home theater, or wellness center, each area must serve its intended function while maintaining a visually appealing environment. For example, a home theater might benefit from darker tones and minimal lighting to enhance the cinematic experience, whereas a wellness center could use lighter, natural materials, lightwells and strategic lighting to create a serene atmosphere despite being underground.
Material selection is also key. Durable, moisture-resistant materials are essential for longevity, but they should also contribute to the overall aesthetic vision. For instance, natural stone or wood finishes can be both practical and visually striking, adding to the space’s beauty while ensuring durability. Good ventilation is critical too, and we employ sophisticated systems to augment the natural ventilation strategies, making the spaces comfortable and functional.
Acoustics are another important consideration, particularly in spaces like music rooms or home theaters. Soundproofing can be seamlessly integrated into the design through specialized materials that not only serve a functional purpose but also enhance the aesthetic appeal.
The Bronze House.
Do you anticipate that iceberg homes will become more popular in the coming years? If so, what types of settings do you foresee them being in?
Yes, I do believe that iceberg homes will become more popular in the coming years. There are several driving factors behind this trend. As urban areas become more densely populated and land values continue to rise, homeowners are looking for innovative ways to maximize space without sacrificing luxury or privacy – an important factor among high-net-worth individuals. The ability to create expansive spaces that are hidden from view allows homeowners to enjoy their amenities without drawing attention, which is particularly appealing in celebrity-dense areas like Los Angeles.
Also, the growing emphasis on sustainability is also contributing to the rise of iceberg homes. Subterranean construction offers thermal benefits, such as natural insulation and temperature regulation, which can reduce the energy demands of a home.
As technology advances, the challenges associated with underground construction, like lighting and ventilation, are becoming easier to address, and making these homes more feasible and attractive.
To learn more about Pali and SPF’s portfolio of work, visit SPFA.com.
