retreat

Rolling along on the California coastline, one can't miss the gleaming beacon of modern architecture that juts out from the the Pacific Palisades, the unmistakable West Coast digs of wealthy jet-setter Anthony Stark. Seaside and sunny, it's no wonder Stark chose this place to build a home, a place to retreat to from the hectic and often deadly life he leads. The modern cliffside home on the Pacific coast was so peaceful, such an escape from his busy life, that he decided to call it: Retreat.

Nestled in several acres of otherwise undeveloped real estate, Retreat juts out of the cliffside on a spectacular piece of California coastline. But the house is more than just a place to live. Before he even broke ground (which he did in IRON MAN #217), Stark envisioned a place that would redefine what a home is or could be. Although it's luxurious and well-stocked for socializing, Stark built the home more for his day-to-day activities than for partying.

Retreat was his first stab at a "smart house." Automated with a thoroughly integrated computer system that regulates and maintains every aspect of the house, including its energy in/out. By adopting the same kind of solar converters that had powered his armor for years, except on a much larger scale, Stark made the house to function totally off-grid (independent of local power utilities). Sunlight is used to illuminate every inch of the house. Patented fiber-optic tubes act as dimmer switches to keep rooms from getting too bright. At night, a single light source is beamed throughout the entire home via the same tubes.

The environmental-friendly design continues in the water system. Water is collected from the atmosphere and stored inside of a closed system--purified and recirculated (Stark did start with a surplus amount of water, but now recycles). Although the outdoor pool presents challenges, atmospheric moisture collectors ensure that Retreat needs no outside water source.

The rest of the home is relatively conventional--well, conventional for a billionaire playboy engineering genius. As mentioned the solar home has a lot of glass. And with an atrium at the home's core, an expansive dining room opens out to an awesome balcony overlooking the beautiful ocean, there's no shortage of great views. Tony's solarium/bedroom on his top floor also allows him to take advantage of the spectacular sunrises/sets. (His bedroom features a computerized closet, capable of laying out his clothes.)

The large gourmet kitchen is fully automated. And although Stark employs a part-time housekeeper, the kitchen systems can prepare food as needed. Keeping with his eco-conscious design, Stark uses propane for some cooking applications rather than conventional gas.

Other key rooms include a vast living room that gives way to a spa/gymnasium. There's also a large electronic library/study that houses Stark's extensive collection of books and other media. And what's a bachelor pad without a stylish circular staircase? Retreat features a circular staircase that stretches to all main floors of the house. The home also features a passenger elevator system (as well as a second heavy-lift supply elevator shaft to the lower lab levels).

The hanging guest suites enjoy the same splendid view as the master bedroom, or main house for that matter. Located near the bottom of the cliffside "cone" of the home. the fabulous guest suites are on par with the swankiest hotels on any coast.

Retreat has several meeting rooms for business as well as several levels that are devoted to entertainment. In one recroom Tony has an early free-air holographic TV system. (A high-speed computer interpolates what is missing from a traditional broadcast signal and generates a smoothed, high-resolution 3-D image. While not yet life-size, its impressive nonetheless.) The sound system is of similar quality: special computer software recreates the original "sound field" of the music, creating the crispest, most dense sound available.

Of course Retreat was built with Tony's work in mind too. Besides having an office level that allows him complete access to his company's databases and computer systems, the sub levels contain Tony's full-feature manufacturing labs. With the aid of a local HOMER extension (his sentient A.I. hologram), Stark has no need for assembly workers or engineers, here everything is automated. He can design and fabricate just about anything he can dream up in this high-tech facility--including his armors.

Retreat

The sub-basement level also provides a command center for his alter ego Iron Man: Stark's armory. And what's a secret lair without a secret entrance? Retreat features a secret undersea entrance, a drainage tunnel deep underwater allows Tony to enter his home virtually undetected (especially when he drops into the sea a half-mile away). The airlock opens via a special ultrasonic code. An energy shield holds back the water as it opens, keeping the tunnel dry at all times. Iron Man's armor is then dried by microwave beams that touch him as he passes through the tunnel into his armory. The same microwaves will immobilize intruders attempting to breach the complex.

On the exterior grounds an outdoor pool provides another option for sun and fun. The nearby helipad provides quick transport to work and back, and the detached, multi-car garage stores Tony's West Coast car collection (mostly convertibles).

One last note: The house that has everything does not have a functional fireplace. Retreat is sealed air tight, and a fireplace would compromise the closed-system.

Update: In #306, after Controller's minions gutted Retreat in an attack, Tony demolished the house and rebuilt it. He upgraded the internal computer system throughout to allow for command/control via verbal commands. The new system also chimes in with alerts such as visitors to the door and so on. Tony also added a large, full-size theater and improved his lab facilities. The new basement lab features state-of-the-art Computer-Aided Design and Manufacture upgrades and links to SE's mainframe.