Family builds village of dugout homes into remote SoCal hill
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
- Homes are square, they said. Polymath artist James Hubbell built 100%-curvy Hobbit Village 🐚
In 1958, James and Anne Hubbell bought cheap land in the Cuyamaca Mountains east of San Diego to build a home with their own hands using materials from the land. Over the next several decades, they built a cluster of unique homes across the property to accommodate their growing family and working needs.
Using only shovels, they dug into the hillside, using existing boulders as footings and wood milled on the property. Modeled after nature, the shelters seem to grow from the land with curving walls reminiscent of seashells. “There are no straight lines in the Hubbell Universe,” explains Hubbell Foundation director Marianne Gerdes.
When they outgrew their original one-room adobe cabin, they built a kitchen/living room as an independent structure, connected by a courtyard to a new bedroom space. This outdoor connection between the two parts of the home forced them to step outside, even during a snowy winter, and experience nature daily.
When they became a family of 6 and outgrew this space, they began building an independent “Boys’ House” for their 4 sons. It’s half-buried into the hill and modeled after a seashell. When we stepped inside, it felt like entering an animal burrow with flowing chambers connected by tunneling. “It’s like the ultimate gopher cave,” suggested Gerdes.
The 2003 Cedar Fire burnt down most of the couple’s own bedroom, but it went right over the partially subterranean Boys' House (as well as their underground kiva), so the couple moved in here (their sons were now grown). “They talk about staying here as being a totally different space than their own homes,” explains Gerdes. “The round nature is what they call an amorphous space where you don't really know where you are at all times. You know, you're always surprised by the space.”
James Hubbell died this past spring, but the hillside hamlet he created continues to flourish. It’s now a site for artists to continue his work, crafting stained glass windows and metal works for others’ homes. It’s also open to public tours and is lived in by a caretaker couple who inhabit a “Cottage in the Woods” designed by James and his architect son Drew.
-Visit the Hubbell Foundation: ilanlaelfounda...
-James Hubbell on Wikipedia: ilanlaelfounda...
-In memoriam: timesofsandieg...
Photo credits: Otto Rigan, J Bisbee, Richard Gross
On *faircompanies: faircompanies....
I LOVE the Hubble House! I lived right up the street from there for a while - your drone footage showed the pasture we had our vintage trailer parked in. It’s such a wonderful place, and the night sky is perfect for star viewing due to lack of light pollution. Glad you guys got to make this video to share it with a wider audience!
I hadn't thought of the area at night with the lack of light pollution. What a nice place to have lived for awhile. We'll have to go back at night.
I first saw a Hubble sculpted building in the mid-1980s. My immediate reaction was...YES! This is what human dwellings SHOULD BE: earth- sheltered, curved, carved, fired (glass-making), surprising, whimsical, a visual answer spiritual delight!
Thank you, Kristen, for making this film of the Hubble "habitat". This one is a "keeper"!😊 ❤
The world needs more whimsy. That's gorgeous.
@@lyfandeth more whimsy. Less building code +permits❤
The way the lady switched between past and present tense when talking about Jim, it’s evident that his passing is still very raw.
@@misslannie73 I noticed that as well. 😔
This man should have lived for 400 years, his creative energies deserved so much more time. Our lives are too short.
Yes. He should have built cities!
I LOVE your style of filmmaking. I always feel like you let the story tell itself. I learn how others see life and am left with a sense of peace.
Ah, thank you for that comment. That is exactly what I try to do: let the story tell itself. With Marianne I got lucky again with a great storyteller.
TOTALLY AGREE. GREAT TALENT.
Kirsten has such a lovely perspective & curiosity of the world around her. So grateful she shares it with us all! Great work KD xo
This place is so beautiful and full of heart. I am so moved and now weep with gentle tears of happiness~~ TY
Thank you. What a nice comment. Was just talking to my daughter about keeping alive a sense of awe for the world. Hope I can keep at it for a few more decades.
@@kirstendirksen I hope so, too! These videos are inspiring and restorative. You do excellent, important work; I'm very grateful!
@@kirstendirksen Yes! Keep it up please 🙂
We look fwd to every Sunday xo
@@kirstendirksenThank you for what you do. ❤❤❤
I really appreciate how you show the place while speaking, and viewers don’t have to look at someone speaking while describing things. Thanks you!
Yes! This is underrated. A lot of car channels will pan to the person speaking for 2 minutes straight after giving us a 5 second view of the interior of the car. Or the show Lego Masters, where stunts and judge commentary get more screen time than the actual Lego builds people want to see!
@@Nphen and British documentaries showing old castles and country houses where you get 10 minutes of a talking face vs a smidgen of footage. 😋
This is what creative freedom looks like!!
That door with the wood burls is stunning
The audio quality is excellent, her every word is distinguishable. Thank you.
Thank you. That's the first time someone has complimented our audio quality. Working on it.
This whole house is a lifelong work of art. ❤
When I saw the name Hubbell I had to click! Back when I was in High School my Mom had a membership to the San Diego Fine Art Museum, and one of the perks was tours of the Hubbell house once or twice a year. We went in 1978, and I adored everything. I also recall seeing a book on Spanish Architect Gaudi in Hubbell's office (I'd learned about Gaudi in Spanish class). Over the years I would see a door, window, swimming pool,or piece of furniture on a random upscale house, or in a magazine and know immediately that it was a Hubbell. I was so sad when I heard parts of the house were destroyed in the Cedar Fire. I love this newer building, and while it's not clear if anyone lives at the property now, it's wonderful to see there are still artists carrying on his work. This was such a pleasure, and the docent was very good with the details and history. I definitely remember those bathrooms, and my Mom came home with all kinds of ideas for making our Mid-Century home more artistic and cool.
It does resemble some Gaudi's works.
Caretakers live on the property, it is a space for artists and craftspeople to work, and there are tours.
@@LoveMusic-pd5izthanks
The Hubble hovel.
This place is my dream home. The dry climate, the asymmetrical, organic quality of the structure and natural materials make the entire place and everything within it art. I would have loved to meet the Hubbles.
What a magical place they’ve created. The seashell ebb and flow of the roofs. The shadows of colored glass on the floor below. All of it! Thank you for taking us along!
WOW! What an amazing and talented man to be able to envision and create so much beauty. It's almost as if he was listening to nature to tell him where and how to build. I love the boys' bedroom building. Even though I am a 70+ yr old great-grandma, I would love to have a room like that, a never ending adventure. I never knew those buildings were there, I don't live far from there. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful and amazing estate. He and his wife were definitely very much in love and had so much respect for each other, their family, and nature. Such a beautiful legacy.
I had the honor of volunteering in the garden at the Hubbell residence when they first opened up to the public after the Cedar fire. I believe the property was already run by a Foundation. The public building wasn’t there but the garden had been in for a few years (I think) and the residences had been rebuilt. Ann and Jim were warm, welcoming and down to earth. We had lunch in what looks like the drafting studio. The whole experience was low key but wonderful - I remember strongly wishing I could be part of his band of craftsmen and artists, it was such a wonderful, artistic place. I fell in love with his artwork after seeing a movie about him on PBS and years later was lucky to come across something that informed me of the property reopening and volunteer opportunities. He has designed some beautiful homes and art around the world.
How amazing that these bldgs were all rebuilt after a wildfire. What a creative couple/family. I am impressed.
This is probably one of the best pieces of architecture and interior design that I’ve seen in your channel … every little thing was awe inspiring .. the bathroom was just amazingly beautiful.. it’s like going into a different era in history.. truly motivating and inspiring work with compassion and the need to be protected by nature ..!!! Caving in ..!!!
Just when I think Kirsten has given us something special,she delivers something very special.Its comforting knowing people like Kirsten and the people she visits exist and existed.
Fantastic 😂❤....wish you had been able to interview his children to hear from them what it was like to live in this whimsical, fabulous world!.
We almost met up with Drew who is not heading up the place, but our timing was off. Next time I hope.
Wow that is absolutely beautiful. I wish more homes and buildings were like this
So much work and love put into this "living Gallery/museum" hard to imagine chilling out with all that creativity! Just shows how creative Humans can be and leave behind their spirit and souls for others to interpret!!
Usually, I hesitate before watching videos that are 40 minutes long. But once I started, I didn’t want it to end! Everything about this place is magical. I could live there 70 years and not have seen all of the details. Very moving.
Wow! I think the real lesson here lies in the 5 years in that one tiny room with the kitchen and washing outdoors! The stamina to do that, the sheer perseverance decade after decade, and then another 3.5 years of rebuilding everything once more after the fire! Awe inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing! 🙌🏻💯🔥
The doors themselves are magical
My favorite !!! WOW
*This is just so ABSO-FREAKIN-LUTELY breathtakingly beautiful that there are NO words to do this justice!! Jim was obviously a first wave wayshower/lightworker. Imho This story has everything important in it, including love, family, work, art, history, perseverance, earth, tragedy, and community. This is probably my favorite that you have covered!!!* 💕🌈💕🌈💕🌈💕🌈💕
Beautiful, peaceful and magical: both the buildings and the location. Absolutely lovely.
I love these incredible historic tours. The mosaic and stained glass installations are mindblowing!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Just incredible. I feel so inspired looking at your beautiful video. James Hubble is a true genius and artist. Kirsten and team you do such a beautiful job of letting the story speak its own truth without a need to manage it in any way. Thank you!
I had a palpable emotional response to this breathtaking homestead architecture - love ❤❤❤❤
Where are the children they had? They should inherit and carry it on? This life he and his wife created is so nourishing to the soul and spirit.
Super nice. They must have been extremely hard workers.
Most definitely Worker Bees!
Trying to do similar on my property.
What a lovely Lady, she is perfect with her passion and knowledge of this beautifully enchanted Hubble space
One of my favourite. I would love to know more about the artists making such houses: the childhood they had, hobbies as kids, relationship with family. It is very inspiring, on all levels!
Wow...the whole place is a dance of art, sculpture and Nature. Exponential beauty!
Truly amazing! And, so beautiful!❤️🙏
Thank you for finding and filming these masterpieces time and time again. The world needs to see what it could be, and choses not to be over and over again.
Your channel has been such an inspiration. You are so good at bringing us along with your family to experience places that we would never otherwise see. Thank you!
Great examples and leaders in design to learn from and honor. Kudos again Kirsten.
What an amazing artist. Jim has created so much to use and enjoy. A lot of work went into all of that creation.
Astounding architecture, stained glass, and mosaics! Thank you for the video and the story about James and Anne Hubbel.
What incredible work. !! Just beautiful and what I feel God would so appreciate!,, 💕❤️💜
Thank you for your incredible videos and introductions to so many remarkably cool people and their visions! I was living in San Diego in the early 70s and wished I had known about this wondrous place. 🙏
Of all the crazy, beautiful, fascinating places you have shown us, this is one of the very best ! Thank you for taking us on these journeys with you.
I love the simple beauty of these structures. The stained glass and mosaic designs are magical! Nature gives us everything we need. We just have to open our eyes and our minds :-D
Oh how beautiful the boys’ house is! Back in the 70s this style of polywombic housing was quite popular and it predated a lot of the council building regulations. My partner and l bought land and began designing a house in this fashion. It was great fun , until we realised that we would also have to design and make the furniture too. That was beyond our budget, so we had to let our dreams slide. We built something else equally creative but using concrete because it was “cheap”and meant we could have rounded corners. The natural curved shapes were very appealing.
Wow, just wow! So. Beautiful & unique.
Well, this beautiful 😮lady explaining the world of this magical village. She is just as original and beautiful to recognize all of those details. We all have our place in creation and I must say that is a really wonderful place. Thank you Kristen for doing another great job this is going to be a fantastic video for millions of people to see. 🙏💙
Whimsical and enchanting, wow just WOW ❤
James Hubble designed and painted a mural on the altar of St Albans Episcopal church in El Cajon, CA sometime in the late 70's. I grew up in that chruch and I hope the painting is still there. I would hope so since its an original work of art!
what happened to the rest of the family? Thanks
Amazing, living art. What a life! Thank you Kristen, once again you've outdone yourself.
Much gratitude for the privilege of seeing this beautiful place.
'Some people'...have the Great Gift of freeing the 'E C E L L E N C E " within! Truly AMAZING! Thanks 4 sharing with us! Health and blessings.
I would like to build human sized dwelling spaces like this. Unfortunately, where I live the regulations would never allow such creative materials and designs. Thank you for making this long, luxurious tour video where we get to see the lovingly crafted details. A monument to community too since much of it was rebuilt after the fire. Beautiful story! ❤ ❤ ❤
These videos always give me ideas or things I can copy but with slight changes...I'd love to have an underground or 3/4 underground similar Hobbit like house under a large tree with a tree house above. Connected by an enclosed spiral staircase. The tree house would be on posts & not completely built into the tree. So the trees growth wouldn't interfere with it & damage it.
Wow! Talk about a life well lived….👌❤️
You're in an underwater wonderland without the water.😊❤
That's a good way to put it. It did feel like being underwater with the light through the stained glass.
My gosh how incredible it would be to have grown up there!! If im ever in san Diego i would so much love to see this in real life!! Very beautiful place!!!
I thought Gaudi as soon as I saw the house! It’s truly a beautiful home. Gosh it’s breathtaking xx
This place is beautiful. I lived in San Diego for 10 years and recently left because I retired at the age of 44. I've only heard rumors from an adventurous former coworker of a place like this in the eastern region of San Diego. It's great to see actual video footage of it. I actually want to build a place like this.
Thank you so much Kirsten for this one. I watch assiduously and enjoy all of your videos every week and this one immediately ended up in my "unique" list so I could watch it over and over again.
Such a dedication. My lifetime. I am in awe. I would suspect 10 acres of land around San Diego today would be unthinkable but back then it was feasible. Hopefully people will take care of this property for a long time allowing other to get inspired in different ways of existing.
What a beautiful legacy. I love this so much, who wouldn’t ? ❤
Artistic and magical ❤
Oh, what a journey. Thank you Kirsten for bringing this incredible group of beautiful buildings to our attention. ❤
If I lived in that home I don't think I could ever leave it. I'd have everything delivered. This home makes all our boxy houses look so dreary!
Wow. I am just filled with awe at all of the beauty, the creativity, the innovation - to say it's exceptional just doesn't do it justice. Thank you for this wonderful tour, and all of the backstory. Wow.
Beautiful.... I want to create one too, now!
Go for it. Awesome
Thank you Kirsten D. This has to be the best find yet.
Thank you for the video! It was amazing!
I'm in awe.. 😍
I could wheelchair around that property for days.
I would literally be in such a happy place admiring such fantastic artwork.
I was trying to see more irin work on the doors, although glass and pottery are probably my favorite.
I love and respect all art.
Do they do tours?
Better yet allow someone to just come stare for hours and hours?
What an amazing place, it just goes on and on! Love the colors
another great video dirksen family. I never would have heard of this compound if not for you. I will now look deeper into the hubbells. thank you.
What an amazing place! Does this woman live there now? And what is her connection with the family that built it? Is it open to the public for visitors? If love to understand that transition of the family out of the house and where they are now.
WOW and WOW again!!!!!!!!
The craftsmanship is spectacular.
My dream home ❤
Gobsmacked. Never heard of this place; lived in Northern CA for 9 years. Awestruck. ❤
How I wish I could do this, even if just one small dwelling.
Thank you 🎉 I enjoyed this creativity and nature so much !
architecture is just amazing and I love the ocean, nature, and fantasy/creativity of it all
Much Gratitude Kirsten! This was hauntingly beautiful and inspiring....re-minding us of our roots!
Absolutely amazing 🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Amazing and very beautiful video, thank you for showing us the creations of James Hubble.
Oh my word, just beautiful. Thank you.
Played hookey today and got to see this episode. Wow, I am filled up with the goodness of this place. Thank you KD and fam. We have seen every show you have on this channel. I swear, that one roof looks like a sea shell I have held in my hand.
38:30 absolutely amazing 🤩 soo beautiful I love this ♥️😍👏🏽
Wow, that man was so multitalented.❤
This is one of the best. thank you soooo much
What a humble history to such a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing! I would love to visit, if ever possible
This is amazing . Live in san diego and never heard of this place , gues thats a good thing .
Full of wonders! Thankyou for sharing this.
Such an inspiring video. Thanks for sharing, as always. :D
Holy cow, sooo beautiful it hurts to watch! Tears in my eyes
Wow. Just simply Wow. Thanks for traveling to bring us the great story. As usual, your camera work and ability to let the story unfold with your presence and keen eye enhances the enjoyment tremendously! It was awful (meaning full of awe!). 🙂
Wow! I was not expecting that when they entered the kids room! Wow!
What a remarkable place!!
Well this is my lucky day. Kristen your channel is so entertaining! I love this platform. What a great idea. If there is one thing I love is to see something new. I can't wait to travel with you. .Happy Day.
Absolutely wow! Just too cool.🔥