SURFSIDE
Carlsbad, California
This is a new residential construction located in Carlsbad, California. Situated on a quiet cul-de-sac, adjacent to the Pacific Coast Highway and the Pacific Ocean, the design was crafted with the coastal environment in mind.
No other road in California is longer than the Pacific Coast Highway. It runs along most of the coastline of the State. One could experience a vast amount of feelings just by driving on it.
The context has to be understood, absorbed, and interpreted: this is always the beginning of the adventure. Sometimes it is rich in suggestion, like the breaking waves of the ocean and the rocks of Carlsbad Bluffs. Sometimes it is heavy with tradition, like the Kahn’s Salk Institute in La Jolla. Sometimes it is the existing neighbors and their built environment. Nonetheless, all strong points of reference.
Each visit brought joy and better understanding. The client introduced me to the delightfulness of Southern California, sharing charitable memories over food and music.
This project is my interpretation of contemporary design. Starting with a flat empty lot, I was afforded the freedom to design from scratch. All of the elements of a home were broken down into pieces and put back together; the bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, living areas, garage, stairs, and so on. Each piece was carefully put together acknowledging their relationship with one another, with the orientation to light and views, with points of access and flow, with houses of the neighbors.
Seeking to achieve functional requirements, the result had to be proportionally elegant, materially engaging, and contemporary.
The west elevation facing the Pacific Ocean has a stepped profile. The two floors step in different directions in accordance to the movement of the sun, creating a second floor patio deck. The stepping occurs in other elevations in different manners - that works visually and functionally.
My second concept was to bring the living spaces and kitchen on the second floor, where it has the best view and brightest light. Along with the master suite, this is where the family spends most of their time together. All is open as much as possible, with direct access to the patio deck and rooftop deck above. Then I put the rest of the bedrooms on the first floor, along with a formal entrance foyer, a kitchenette bar, and a private study. Having an additional level was always a shared vision with the client. The concept of a coastal retreat that offered separation from the rest of the home was an important element. This is where the idea of having a sunken garden becomes integral to the design of the basement, where it also houses the lounge and spa amenities.
The staircase tower marks a pivotal point for the project in both design and planning approval. The approval of having a tower that is much above the height limit was unacceptable at first. And no other houses in the area had similar designs. With persistence and passing of time, the planning commission finally allowed an enclosed staircase, pointing out that it was still within code. The approval drastically moved the design forward visually and functionally. It is important to have a continuous connection that brings one from the ground to the sky. The detail is douglas fir framing with open tread stairs. Facing northeast with lower light intensity, the tower affords itself to be openly designed.
All I brought with me on this adventure were my skills and of those who contributed to the project. I attempted to think on a level if what as an architect understands, absorbs, interprets can ever come close to the great Pacific. Then I opened my eyes and got back to work.
