Steven Phillips Architect A.I.A.
Vision, Inspiration and Enthusiasm for Design
by Stephanie Noel

"A house is like a movie, filled with action, drama and romance. Not just static, rather a series of images that comes together to tell your story," said architect Steven Phillips.

When Phillips designs a home, the experience of driving up to a site is part of the movie. The approach to the site and the final destination are elements that he takes into consideration. Whether he takes you into a different world or harmonizes with the community is a conscious choice.

"What you see as you drive up to the front door, the first image that you have of the house, begins to tell the story of how the owner likes to live. Just like a movie, we only have a few seconds to capture the visitor's attention, to see if this is worth seeing or not. A good story doesn't tell everything in the first few seconds, but leaves room for some mystery as the house unfolds before you," said Phillips.

The secret to telling your story through your home is finding the perfect storyteller, a designer who realizes that your home is an expression of your personality, an architect who listens to your needs. Steven Phillips Architect understands the fundamental idea that your dream home must mesh perfectly with your personality, lifestyle and taste in order to tell your story.

Placing your needs first, Phillips is dedicated to the design process of your home. Often during your first meeting, he will begin sketching right in front of you. Through these prospective sketches, both the potential clients and the designer can visualize the end product. Phillips' designs are very much a collaboration with his clients, gathering the required information to analyze and synthesize creative solutions for their dreams.

Phillips' ability to envision the potential of the building site can bring you one step closer to your perfect home. By visiting the site and taking advantage of its natural beauty, he brings nature to the home. Because many of the lots overlook canyons or beaches, he carefully positions each home to maximize the view. Through his ability to fit the home to the site, Phillips creates homes that are not simply beautiful, but also livable.

Phillips' first experience with architecture came when he watched his father design the new family home in Laguna Niguel. His father studied architecture and designed every home in which the family lived. Phillips loved seeing his father's design come to life. From an early age, he wanted to be an architect and was dedicated to reaching this goal.

Trained at the University of Southern California, Phillips studied under the famous landscape architect, Emmett Wimpole, designer of the first J. Paul Getty Museum in Malibu. After his graduation in 1975, he immediately began his apprenticeship with Chris Abel Architect of Laguna Beach. Abel was a devoted follower of Frank Lloyd Wright, and the Wright style. "It was a wonderful experience," said Phillips. Phillips enjoys designing custom homes throughout Southern California, Arizona, Washington, and Hawaii. Primarily based on word of mouth and the satisfaction of his clients, his firm has grown to employ skilled draftsmen updated on the latest technology, while collaborating with talented professional associates at his central Southern California location. In addition to crafting space and image for many high profile clients, Phillips also serves the communities of Bear Brand Ranch and Peppertree Bend as their architectural consultant.

Whether your vision of the perfect home is a relaxing tropical oasis, a beautiful Italian villa, or an exotic Mediterranean retreat, Phillips has the design experience and talent to see it come into actuality. This experienced and talented architect makes designing homes for the American Dream his lifework. Since 1980, he has helped over a hundred successful and passionate clients build the custom home of their dreams.

Marbella
This innovative "upside-down" Paseo Elegancia home in the Marbella community is built on a hillside, with its main entry on the second floor. You enter on the uphill side, into a 17-foot high, cross-vaulted entrance hall that leads to a double staircase that takes you down to a ballroom under the home. "The Bros house was very exciting because I got to work with materials imported from all over the world as well as antiques collected by the Bros's," Phillips explained. "Some of the fireplaces and the furniture we would build in and design the room around them."

Pelican Hill
With its distinct Greek Mediterranean influence, this beautiful five-floor split-level home located in Pelican Hill is most notable for its curved facade designed to follow the disappearing-edge swimming pool. Steven Phillips designed the curves of this crescent-shaped pool specifically to focus the view on the stunning lights of Newport Harbor. His creative solution to the challenging site that sloped in two directions was a house that covers five levels: three on one side and two on the other. This Premier Point home is filled with romantic spaces. At night, you can sit in the cave and look at the harbor lights in complete privacy.

Shady Canyon
Steven Phillips has designed seven homes in Shady Canyon. The Irvine Company is the conductor of a European symphony of Tuscan, Provincial, Andalusian and Santa Barbaran designs, all blended into a canyon that now looks like a piece of Europe transplanted to Southern California.

The owner, the architect, and the builder all learn how to perform under the conductor, the Irvine Company, and its very specific guidelines. All the details of the homes have to be backed up by historical photos, causing Phillips' library to greatly enlarge. "I have enjoyed the experience because I have grown in experience and knowledge by working here," said Phillips. "It is a privilege to work here and I respect the value that the guidelines have brought to every home in the community."

Steven L. Phillips Architect, A.I.A.
23187 La Cadena Drive, Suite 101
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 768-7244
www.stevenphillipsarchitect.com
steve@slparchitect.com