Davidson House - James Hubbell, Designer

I first visited this house in 2004 on a fundraising tour of Hubbell built homes to rebuild their Julian home after the 2003 Cedar Fire. Actually, this story starts earlier. I first HEARD about this house in 1997 when it was highlighted in San Diego Union Tribune, at the time I had never heard of James Hubbell but I clipped the article because I was enchanted with the artistry.

It's interesting that every time I come into contact with Hubbell's work I can tell - even if there's no credit, I know. I know because I'm drawn to the shapes and materials. His style speaks to me in a way that no other artist ever has.

This house is now available on AirBnB (look for The Shire in Alpine) so I just HAD to stay here, because of course. It's a tinier house than it looks because so much of the space isn't usable. The location is wonderful; on an angled lot with the creek just below you. I also have to note that the noisiest frogs in the universe live down at that creek.

It's worth the drive, do it.

Davidson House, Alpine, CA - James Hubbell, Designer

Davidson House, Alpine, CA - James Hubbell, Designer

Davidson House, Alpine, CA - James Hubbell, Designer

Davidson House, Alpine, CA - James Hubbell, Designer

Davidson House, Alpine, CA - James Hubbell, Designer

Sea Ranch Chapel - James Hubbell, Designer

I have started this post literally 7 times and never finished it. I keep falling more and more behind and the open tabs of interesting stuff to blog about just pile up...

Last year I finally had the opportunity to drive up the California coast to the little town of Sea Ranch to see a Hubbell structure that I've loved in pictures and wanted to experience in the real.

The chapel was MUCH smaller than I expected, which I probably shouldn't have been surprised since Hubbell clearly prefers snug quarters, that is a consistency throughout all of his buildings. No wasted space. You might (and I do stress might) get 20 people into this building. If they were friendly.

The glass work is, of course, exquisite. This is one of the finest examples of James' work that you'll find outside of his home in Santa Ysabel. It's a long drive from the Bay area but absolutely worth it.

Go. Pack a lunch.

Sea Ranch Chapel, James Hubbell Architect 

Sea Ranch Chapel, James Hubbell Architect 

Sea Ranch Chapel, James Hubbell Architect 

Sea Ranch Chapel, James Hubbell Architect 

Sea Ranch Chapel, James Hubbell Architect 

Sea Ranch Chapel, James Hubbell Architect

James Hubbell Home & Studio - The Boys' House

More goodies from my James Hubbell archives. The two structures that I always come back to are the Boy's House and the Small Studio. These are probably the most organic of the structures of the Hubbell compound in Julian and capture my imagination more than the others.

Previous James Hubbell posts are here.

James Hubbell home in Julian, The Boy's House

James Hubbell home in Julian, front door to The Boy's House

James Hubbell home in Julian, stained glass in The Boy's House

James Hubbell home in Julian, the bathroom in The Boy's House

James Hubbell Studio Open House 2012

The annual Open House of Hubbell Studios was simply wonderful! I got to see the new Chapel finally, it is just about the most wonderful spot you can possibly imagine. Sitting inside one is treated to a spectacular view of the valley below.

More pictures to come!

James Hubbell Studio in Julian - the Chapel

James Hubbell Studio in Julian - the Chapel

James Hubbell Studio in Julian - the pool area

James Hubbell Studio in Julian - the pool

James Hubbell Home Studio II - Julian, CA

More pictures from my personal collection taken at a previous Hubbell Open House. Don't forget to pick up your tickets for this year, the event is only a couple of weeks away (June 17th!) If you can't make it, fear not, I'll be there with camera in hand during the morning tour.

James Hubbell home studio in Julian, CA

James Hubbell home studio in Julian, CA

James Hubbell home studio in Julian, CA

James Hubbell home studio in Julian, CA

Previous posts on Hubbell Studios:

http://www.eclectitude.com/2012/05/james-hubbell-home-studio-julian-ca.html

http://www.eclectitude.com/2012/02/james-hubbell-house-studio-in-julian.html

James Hubbell Home Studio - Julian, CA

I did promise more from my personal picture cache of James Hubbell's studio in Julian, CA.  These were taken in 2006.

The annual tour of the Hubbell Studios is coming up June 17, sign up soon while there are still spots available!

James Hubbell Home Studio, Julian CA

James Hubbell Home Studio, Julian CA

James Hubbell Home Studio, Julian CA

James Hubbell Home Studio, Julian CA

Pacific Portal - James Hubbell, Artist

With a little over a month away from the annual Open House of Hubbell Studios in Julian, I'm going to feature a lot of James Hubbell here and cap it all off with pictures from the event on June 17, 2012.

Today...a funny story. I was visiting friends in San Diego a few months ago and we happened to take a drive out to Shelter Island, where I'd never been. As we drove down the only road on Shelter Island, I saw a piece of large sculpture and said to my companions "that HAS to be a James Hubbell. It just has to be."

Sure enough, it was the Pacific Portal, one of a number of Pacific Rim Parks that Hubbell has been involved with.

I guess it is a tribute to the power that James Hubbell's work holds over me that I can recognize the work at a glance, anywhere....

Pacific Portal (Shelter Island, San Diego) - James Hubbell, Artist

Pacific Portal (Shelter Island, San Diego) - James Hubbell, Artist

Pacific Portal (Shelter Island, San Diego) - James Hubbell, Artist 

Pacific Portal (Shelter Island, San Diego) - James Hubbell, Artist

"Pacific Spirit" (Shelter Island, San Diego) - James Hubbell, Artist 

Sea Ranch Chapel - James Hubbell, Architect

There can just never be too much James Hubbell in my world, so today we are going to explore the Sea Ranch Chapel in Sea Ranch, CA. If I do ever manage to get married, it will be here, surrounded by art and beauty.

Of all the James Hubbell stained glass work that I've had a chance to view, the leaded art glass at Sea Ranch Chapel is amongst my favorite of Hubbell's designs.
The amazing roof design comes in a close second.

Sea Ranch Chapel - James Hubbell, Architect

Doors to the Sea Ranch Chapel - James Hubbell, Architect

Art Stained Glass - James Hubbell, Architect

Glass Work, Sea Ranch Chapel - James Hubbell, Architect

Ceiling and Glass Work Sea Ranch Chapel - James Hubbell, Architect

James Hubbell, House & Studio in Julian

Pictures today from my personal stash that were taken at the home and studio of architect James Hubbell in Julian, CA.  James Hubbell and his wife open up their home each year to the public on Father's Day, register for tours at their website.

The Hubbell home was mostly burned to the ground in the Cedar Fire of 2003, only the Boy's House remained unscathed. The studio and home have been rebuilt since then and improved upon. These pictures are all post-fire and there are plenty more to come in future posts.

James Hubbell Design Studio Julian, CA

James Hubbell home in Julian, CA

The Boy's House, James Hubbell

More of the Hubbell Studios in Julian

Rainbow Hill II - James Hubbell, Architect

Today, some more of my personal pictures from Rainbow Hill in Julian, CA. A former Bed and Breakfast now privately owned. James Hubbell worked on this residence for 10 years in the process of completing it.  For me, the master bedroom on the 2nd floor is the crowning jewel of the residence. The windows on the 2nd floor are located so that the sun wakes you up at sunrise with light pouring into the room (the preference of the previous owner - certainly not mine, I like to sleep in!)

There is a small fireplace in the master, as well as a bathroom and sitting area.

The master bedroom at Rainbow Hill - James Hubbell, Architect

Morning sun streams through these windows to start the day

The upstairs fireplace at Rainbow Hill

Previous James Hubbell post: http://www.eclectitude.com/2011/12/rainbow-hill-james-hubbell-architect.html

Hubbell and Hubbell website.

Rainbow Hill - James Hubbell, Architect

My interest in organic architecture springs from visual "wow" reaction to the work of James Hubbell, architect and sculptor, about 13 years ago when I lived in San Diego where James Hubbell is a local fixture and architecture celebrity.  I had no idea what I was looking at the time and who had created it, I was just so very drawn to the work.  I would run across pictures of his work in various places and never put the name to the work until one day I realized that these pieces were all the work of single artist - James Hubbell.

I'll be showcasing the work of Hubbell and Hubbell here on this blog regularly. Many of these are my own personal photos taken on the yearly Open House that James Hubbell and his wife host each year on Father's Day at their Julian, CA compound.

Today, I'm going to feature Rainbow Hill in Julian, California.  This structure was originally built out of friendship in 1991 and became a famous local Bed and Breakfast.  The house was sold to a private party in 2010 and is no longer available for rentals.  I was lucky enough to have stayed there in 2004 and it was an unforgettable experience.

Rainbow Hill - James Hubbell, Architect

Master Bathroom of Rainbow Hill - James Hubbell

Top of Water Feature at Rainbow Hill - James Hubbell

Hubbell and Hubbell Website.