Bringing to mind a butterfly poised on a rugged cliff, its glorious wings spread in a floating span, this dynamic home overlooking the sea in Carmel is the result of a decade of collaboration between the owner—a businesswoman, philanthropist, and lover of music, meditation, and nature—and the esteemed Wallace E. Cunningham, a fixture on Architectural Digest’s AD100, which honors distinguished architects and designers worldwide.

The two aimed to “create an environment of peace and tranquility that would integrate … beauty, nature, simplicity, conservation, and inspired design,” and by any measure, they succeeded, here on the rocky coast of California.

Announcing the home’s powerful organic aesthetic, walls of glass and panels of stainless steel combine to establish a one-of-a-kind silhouette and façade.

In the living and dining rooms, soaring ceilings and floors of polished concrete create an ambience of drama and luxury, and every space is suffused with alluring vistas and glorious natural light.

The stylish kitchen uses glass as a backsplash and appears to lie beneath a canopy of cypress; counters are crafted of uncommon ocean blue lava stone, and the cabinets have a distinctive Italian Tabu veneer.

In the main-floor bedroom, the curve of the ceiling follows the dramatic line of the roof, and the en suite bath boasts a freestanding tub and floor-to-ceiling glass walls.

Stairs with oiled white oak treads lead to additional bedrooms and a sitting room on the upper level.

The residence is at once elegant and efficient: thoughtful amenities include wiring for motorized shades concealed at the top of each glass panel and a sophisticated radiant heating system.

Cunningham’s career has been an ongoing exploration of structures’ interactions with their landscapes, and this 2,667-square-foot home is no exception, offering uninterrupted views of the dazzling terrain and the ocean.

Outdoors, a path meanders to landscaped gardens and connects an array of outdoor sitting areas designed for enjoyment of the spectacular environs.

The unique setting overlooks the dramatic Wildcat Cove, and the property has private access to the water.

$11,900,000 / 243 Highway 1, Carmel, CA 93923