The Split Level House is more than a home—it’s a familiar architectural language that has shaped Sunset Mesa’s identity since the 1960s. These original homes captured the spirit of mid-century California living, with their layered layouts, ocean-facing facades, and seamless integration into the hillside topography. Today, M-RAD and the Sunset Mesa Collective have reimagined this typology for a new era—respecting the past while answering the challenges of the present.
The new Split Level designs are not just replacements. They are thoughtfully engineered homes that respond to fire risk, rising construction costs, and changing lifestyle needs. Each home is designed to meet or stay within Los Angeles County’s 110% Like-for-Like Rebuild Policy, ensuring expedited permitting while introducing modern materials, energy-efficient systems, and flexible design options tailored to the site.
Flexible Design Within a Familiar Layout
Split Level House Elevations Variations
The updated Split Level model comes in a series of optimized layouts ranging from 3 to 5 bedrooms, with options for home offices, expanded living areas, and enhanced garage access. While the spatial organization reflects the original split-level logic, it has been restructured to align with contemporary living—open-plan social areas, strategic sightlines toward the ocean, and better connections to outdoor spaces.
Every plan is designed with a balance of standardization and flexibility. Homeowners can mirror layouts to suit lot orientation, shift the position of the garage to respond to access points, and customize elements like window size, facade treatment, and material palette. Three architectural expressions—Mid-Century Evolution, Horizon Precision, and Modern Classic—offer a range of aesthetic identities while maintaining neighborhood cohesion.
Rebuilding with Resilience
Each Split Level House integrates a comprehensive fire-resistant strategy from the earliest design phases. The structural frame is composed of non-combustible steel. Roof systems are Class A fire-rated. Ember-resistant venting is built into the envelope, and all exterior openings are protected by dual-pane, tempered glass.
Beyond structural elements, the design team incorporates best practices for defensible space, guided by fire resilience advisors and landscape architects. Landscaping strategies are organized into zones, with species selection, spacing, and surface materials chosen specifically for their role in wildfire mitigation. By integrating both passive and active fire protection—from roof assemblies to site strategies—the Split Level becomes more than a rebuild. It becomes a model for living safely in a high-risk zone.
Smarter Construction for Faster Delivery
Split Level House Axonometric View
One of the most powerful aspects of the Sunset Mesa Collective approach is its hybrid construction methodology. The Split Level House is precision-built in a controlled environment, reducing waste, accelerating timelines, and maintaining the kind of quality control that is difficult to achieve through traditional site-only construction. Once fabricated, the home is transported and assembled on-site with tailored modifications based on the lot’s topography, setbacks, and orientation.
This approach offers measurable benefits. Homeowners can expect a reduction in total construction time and cost savings, ranging from 30 to 45 percent, which are achieved through bulk procurement of materials, standardized details, and a streamlined logistics chain managed by the Collective. More importantly, by reducing uncertainty and simplifying decision-making, the process becomes significantly less stressful for those navigating the already complex experience of rebuilding after loss.
A Home Designed for Now—and What’s Next
Today’s Sunset Mesa homeowner needs more than a beautiful home—they need a smart one. The Split Level model offers options for solar and battery storage, all-electric appliance readiness, and integrated energy management systems. These features reduce long-term utility costs and offer independence from an increasingly unreliable grid. Air quality systems, fire dampers, and airtight construction ensure both comfort and protection.
And while the technical benefits are significant, the emotional ones are equally important. This is a home that restores a sense of permanence, safety, and identity. It reflects the values of the community: respect for design, connection to the landscape, and a belief that rebuilding can be not only possible, but better.
To begin your rebuild journey, Sunset Mesa homeowners are invited to schedule a feasibility study. This includes a one-on-one consultation, a full site analysis, and a strategy session to align your home’s design with views, solar exposure, and the current permitting framework.
Visit sunsetmesacollective.com to learn more, or contact the M-RAD team directly to explore how your next home can honor the past—while building for the future.