A Former Spiritual Retreat Transformed into a Modern Family Haven Near Santa Fe

Near the mystical landscapes of Santa Fe, New Mexico, a building with a profound past as a spiritual retreat has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis, emerging as a distinctive mountain getaway for chef and hospitality entrepreneur Justin Cucci and his family. This ambitious renovation project, spanning three years and overcoming significant structural challenges, exemplifies adaptive reuse, sustainable design principles, and a deep respect for the property’s unique heritage. The endeavor, chronicled by Dwell’s "How They Pulled It Off" series, showcases how a collaborative design team brought cohesion and contemporary functionality to a structure previously defined by its circular living spaces, domes, arches, and hand-painted Tibetan motifs.

How They Pulled It Off: A Former Spiritual Retreat Becomes a Family Home That Waves at Its Past

A Visionary’s Instinct: Embracing the Past, Shaping the Future

Justin Cucci, founder of Denver-based hospitality group Edible Beats, is renowned for his unconventional approach to real estate. His portfolio includes transforming a former mortuary, a brothel, and a gas station into thriving, popular restaurants. This track record underscores his philosophy: a building’s history need not dictate its future, but rather serve as a rich foundation for innovative transformation. When Cucci first encountered the Santa Fe property, its idiosyncratic features immediately resonated with his visionary spirit. The circular rooms, soaring domes, and traditional nichos (wall recesses often used for religious displays) adorned with Buddhist art, hinted at a rich spiritual tapestry. "I don’t know exactly how it had been used, but there were Buddhist paintings and artworks and a lot of outdoor zones with unique touches," Cucci remarked, acknowledging the property’s distinct character.

Despite its outdated condition and the daunting prospect of a substantial renovation, the intrinsic "bones and the energy around it felt really special," he observed. A strong sense of inherent feng shui – the ancient Chinese art of arranging spaces to achieve harmony and balance – was perceived within its layout, further cementing its appeal as an ideal, albeit challenging, family retreat. This intuitive connection to the property’s spiritual essence became a guiding principle for the subsequent design process, ensuring that while the home would be modernized, its soul would remain intact.

Forging Cohesion: The Collaborative Design Journey

To navigate the complexities of this transformation, Justin and his wife, Denielle Nadeau, enlisted the expertise of architect Douglas Eichelberger and interior designer Chandler Prewitt. Their primary directive was to infuse modern cohesion into the interior spaces while honoring the building’s unique architectural language. The project commenced with an ambitious plan to convert a glassed-in, ground-floor garden room into a serene primary suite. Simultaneously, Prewitt collaborated closely with Cucci to conceptualize and execute an open-plan kitchen and dining area on the upper level, a crucial space for a professional chef.

The design team embraced a philosophy of repurposing and sustainability, drawing inspiration from Michael Reynolds’ Earthships developed in Taos during the 1970s. Earthships are pioneering examples of autonomous, sustainable homes constructed from natural and recycled materials. This influence guided the integration of architectural salvage, vibrant slag glass (a byproduct of glass manufacturing), and even recycled bottles from Cucci’s own restaurants into the redesign. "We elevated what was there into a kind of modern Earthship," Prewitt explained, highlighting the blend of eco-conscious practices with contemporary aesthetics. This approach not only minimized environmental impact but also imbued the home with layers of narrative and character.

Architectural Innovations and Sustainable Touches

The renovation was characterized by a series of thoughtful interventions that both enhanced functionality and celebrated the property’s unique features:

The Heart of the Home: A Chef’s Kitchen and Dining Oasis: The formerly partitioned kitchen-dining area was dramatically opened up, creating a welcoming, expansive space perfectly suited for a professional chef. The floor, laid with distinctive tiles from Pratt + Larson, grounds the room. In the adjacent sitting area, an Ergofocus gas fireplace from European Home provides warmth and ambiance, complemented by a Vestaboard programmable artwork that adds a dynamic, contemporary touch. Prewitt designed a custom dining banquette, expertly crafted by Wood Design, and oversaw the unique black staining of the floors using India ink, a method that offered a non-traditional, sealed finish. For the kitchen counters, Cucci specified Richlite, a durable and sustainable material made from resin-infused paper. Having utilized Richlite in his restaurants due to its "bomb-proof" nature, he recognized its potential for a high-performing, yet aesthetically interesting, residential application. Architect Bradyn Furry played a pivotal role in meticulously modeling the cabinetry, which was then fabricated by Wood Design.
Illuminating Domed Ceilings: The striking domed ceilings in both the living room and the kitchen-dining area were transformed with hand-cut latillas (small wood poles) arranged in an intricate chevron pattern and painted white. This detail not only added visual texture but also brightened the spaces. Critically, new skylights, ceiling fans, and comprehensive lighting systems were installed, addressing the complete absence of existing electrical infrastructure in these areas.
Harmonizing Old and New: Living Room and Artistry: The domed living room, a primary draw for Cucci, was carefully balanced to blend urban and midcentury sensibilities with traditional New Mexican architecture. Existing openings to both the living room and kitchen-dining room were enlarged, enhancing flow and light. A particularly poignant detail involved commissioning Santa Fe-based Lama Gyurme, the original Tibetan master painter, to reproduce his exquisite motifs, ensuring continuity of the home’s spiritual artistic legacy. The space is furnished with a modular sofa by Gus Modern and a table by Industry West, resting upon a cherished Beni Ourain Berber rug from the owners’ collection, demonstrating a sophisticated blend of contemporary design and global influences.
A Journey Downstairs: Materials and Light: The rebuilt staircase to the lower level is a testament to innovative craftsmanship. Featuring Cor-Ten steel with laser-cut openings, it casts captivating shadows, adding an artistic dimension to the transition between floors. The lower two steps are robust concrete, while the remaining steps ingeniously combine steel and Richlite. Throughout the lower level, micro cement flooring was applied. Cucci praised this choice, noting its "organic, seamless look" and its practical benefits: "It retains heat in winter and is very cool in summer. It feels like Santa Fe."
Echoes of the Past: Embedded History: Opposite the front door, old Japanese glass fishing floats were artfully embedded into a wall, creating a mosaic of light and color. The existing floor in this area, a Moroccan wood lattice with various trinkets set into its openings and sealed with epoxy, was intentionally preserved. "We definitely wanted to leave that because it was so special to have a floor with so much thought," Cucci emphasized, highlighting the team’s commitment to retaining the home’s unique historical narratives.
The Primary Suite: A Sanctuary of Serenity: The conversion of the former sunroom into the primary bedroom offered immense creative freedom. Architect Eichelberger’s initial sketches for a curved ceiling provided the framework, which Prewitt embellished with a sweeping band of river stones embedded into the plaster around the fireplace, evoking a sense of organic tranquility. The bed is thoughtfully nestled within a large nicho, adorned with an elegant Moroccan screen, while smaller nichos provide intimate display spaces. A banco, a traditional built-in bench common in Southwestern architecture, was designed by Prewitt, featuring a large porthole window that gracefully mirrors the fireplace opening. The primary bathroom continues this theme, with LED-lit nichos providing soft illumination and a custom cement counter by Marfa Cement Works resting atop a warm wood base.
Exterior Flair: Recycled Bottle Railing: The commitment to repurposing extended to the exterior, where empty bottles from Justin Cucci’s restaurants found new life as a vibrant railing on the deck. "Those bottles would normally get thrown away and recycled," Cucci stated, "But they have beautiful colors, beautiful shapes, and it felt like there was more life left in them." This creative use of discarded materials not only adds a distinctive aesthetic but also reinforces the home’s sustainable ethos.

Overcoming Obstacles: The Art of Creative Chaos

The journey was not without its significant hurdles. A pivotal moment occurred when the team opened a wall to install a new window, only to uncover extensive water damage that necessitated a complete rebuild of the house’s entire center from the studs. This unforeseen structural issue caused a delay of several months, testing the resilience and adaptability of the entire team.

Despite such setbacks, the project’s completion after three years was a testament to persistent collaboration. "It was a really complicated project," Prewitt reflected. "And there was a lot of exploring ideas and figuring things out and refining on-site with the contractor, the subcontractors and the artisans. At times it felt chaotic, but it was one of those really creative chaoses where everything came together in the end." Cucci echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the indispensable nature of teamwork: "A house like this isn’t possible unless the team is clicking on a really dynamic level. It’s great when you can find people who are willing and open to collaborating. That’s how I live my restaurant life. No one person could take credit for it, and everyone together can take credit for something."

Broader Implications: A Model for Conscious Design

The transformation of this spiritual retreat into a modern family home stands as a compelling example of conscious design and adaptive reuse. It highlights a growing trend in architecture and interior design that prioritizes sustainability, respect for historical context, and the innovative repurposing of materials. The project’s success in blending diverse cultural influences—Tibetan art, Moroccan elements, and Southwestern architectural traditions—with contemporary comfort demonstrates a sophisticated approach to creating spaces that are both deeply personal and universally appealing.

Moreover, the emphasis on collaboration, from the initial vision to the final touches, underscores the value of interdisciplinary teamwork in overcoming complex challenges inherent in such unique renovations. The Cucci-Nadeau family home is more than just a residence; it is a narrative in itself, a living testament to the belief that with creativity, dedication, and a shared vision, even the most unconventional structures can be reimagined to serve new purposes, fostering a sense of harmony between past, present, and future. This project not only provides a serene mountain retreat but also contributes to the evolving discourse on sustainable luxury and the preservation of cultural narratives within modern living environments.

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