Coastal Residence

Project Details

Project Description

FROM THE ARCHITECTS:

On a secluded lane with bluff-top ocean and Channel Island views, a rancher looking for an oceanside retreat to escape the heat and dust of the San Joaquin Valley purchased two neighboring properties. The larger property already had an existing residence, and the other was an undeveloped .3 acre lot averaging only 35‘ in width. While the existing 7,000 sf home underwent a remodel by NMA Architects, plans were developed for a new residence on the adjacent narrow property to function as guest accommodations. The narrow property, originally part of a larger estate and featured by a swimming pool, didn’t provide any beach access, and the two properties were separated by a solid plaster wall, limiting use and flow.

The challenges were to create a comfortable home with a feeling of spaciousness within the site constraints, and to blur the boundary between the two lots, connecting them for shared communal uses and opening views while maintaining privacy. The biggest gestures on the exterior were the removal of a plaster property line wall and the development of a lush, shared tropical garden that greets guests, leading to the separate entries for both homes. The new home was designed in the same bold yet simple modern style, mimicking the palette of materials and proportions, though scaled for the constraints of the smaller property. The design solution utilizes strategically placed openings in the solid mass to capture important views and connect with the outdoor lounging and entertainment areas. In keeping the palette of materials and colors simple, the living spaces feel far more spacious than their footprints reveal, creating zen-like interiors. The bold plaster exterior is warmed with stained mahogany doors, windows, and trellises. Concrete floors and simple white interiors punctuated by warm,
natural textiles add to the visual spaciousness and calmness, creating an airy retreat.