Shubin+Donaldson's Underground 'Painter Residence'

Culver City based architecture firm, Shubin + Donaldson has begun the “Linda Flora Residence” commissioned by technology pioneer and entrepreneur Scott Painter. Most famous for his company CarsDirect.com, Painter was named the Entrepreneur of the Year by the Technology Council of Southern California in 2009. “Scott Painter is like no other client we’ve had… I could tell this was a man who took risks. I knew I had to work with him,” states Russell Shubin, AIA. Painter’s current endeavor is U.S. Digital Gaming, which he co-founded with Richard Baskin and Richard “Skip” D. Bronson.

This underground home will “virtually disappear” into the landscape. Anchored by a central living room, this four-bedroom home is an “architectonic extension of the natural topography,” according to the firm. It will be just shy of 27,000 square feet with floor to ceiling windows throughout. The home will feature an infinity pool, vineyard-like gardens, and views similar to those seen at the Getty Museum. Built into the Moraga Peak of the Santa Monica Mountains, this land was once gifted by Howard Hughes to the chief engineer of The Spruce Goose. The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy will provide Painter protection from unwanted neighbors as the land North of the property cannot be developed. Brad Kelley is the home’s Project Architect, and both Robin Donaldson (AIA) and Russell Shubin (AIA) are the residence’s Principal Architects.