ampudia residence
private residence | san diego, california
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Set within San Diego’s historic Mission Hills neighborhood, the Ampudia Residence transforms an existing two-story home into a light-filled contemporary retreat organized around extraordinary 180-degree views of San Diego Bay, the airport, and Mission Bay. Taken down to the studs and comprehensively rebuilt, the residence was reimagined to create a dramatic progression from the street-level entry to the panoramic living spaces above.
The ground floor establishes a more formal sense of arrival, with a redesigned entrance leading to the living room, primary suite, and secondary bedrooms. From there, an open U-shaped staircase becomes a central architectural element, drawing guests upward toward the heart of the home.
On the second floor, the residence opens dramatically into an expansive Great Room, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping views across San Diego. Raising the existing roof approximately 18 inches adds volume and enhances the sense of openness, allowing the kitchen, dining, and living spaces to feel even more connected to the surrounding sky and landscape.
Throughout the home, expansive glazing, warm wood accents, and a restrained material palette balance contemporary architecture with a comfortable, inviting character. Natural light fills the interiors, while the elevated living spaces create an effortless connection between the home and San Diego’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
The result is a complete reinvention of the original residence—a warm, modern home where architecture, light, and carefully framed views transform the San Diego skyline into an ever-changing backdrop for daily life.