HELENA ARAHUETE, AIA

Born in Belgium and brought up in Buenos Aires, Helena Arahuete graduated from the University of Buenos Aires and worked for several Argentinean architectural, engineering and construction firms. 

She came to the US in 1971 to work with John Lautner on the Arango Residence in Acapulco and became his highest-regarded associate.  Today, she continues as principal of Lautner Associates-Helena Arahuete Architect. 

2003 - The John and Marilyn Roscoe Residence, aka The House Above the Morning Clouds, aka Tawantan, 1700 Twin Sisters Road, Green Valley CA.  2000 feet up on top of a mountain in Napa Valley.  Includes 1700 acres.  13000 square feet.  Featured in Architectural Digest January 2005.  For sale as of September 2009.  As 0f 2011 owned by the Timothy W. Hoffman Trust. Second photo by Alan Weintraub.

The highlight of the house is undeniably the 50-foot pool, which begins in the living room and slips beneath tempered-glass doors to a deck suspended over the hillside. The pool is finished in 1-by-1-inch Bisazza glass tiles in a rich blue color and was built by Pacific Pools.  Interiors by John Wheatman Associates of San Francisco.

"All of my design decisions and choice of materials were made to get the most out of the 360 degree view with minimal obstruction...I wanted the house to look as if it were floating about the mountain."  -- Helena Arahuete

2009 - The Edward and Kiesha Domanskis Residence, aka Gull House, 2049 Ocean Way, Laguna Beach CA.  Built on the site of a 1919 beach cottage, bottom photo. Foundation by TSW Corporation.  For sale 2010-2011. 

Year unknown - Anchorage AK.  Photo by Helena Arahuete.  Located on a beautiful wooded site in the mountains above Anchorage with views extending from Mt. Denali (McKinley) to the north all the way to The Chugach Mountains in the south.

Year unknown - aka Mountain Wave, San Gabriel Mountains CA.  Photo by Helena Arahuete.

Around 2005 - The Kilauea Residence, 5880-C Kahiliholo Road, Kauai HI.  Was unbuilt as of 2011.  Top photo by Helena Arahuete.

Year unknown - The Camelback Mountain Residence, Phoenix AZ.  Unsure if built.  
Photo by Helena Arahuete.

Year unknown - Oasis, Palm Desert CA.  Unsure if built.   Photo by Helena Arahuete.

Year unknown - The Steven Enkeboll Residence. 19 acres. 
Unsure if built.   Photo by Helena Arahuete.