Judges' Comments
- N/A
Project Data:
Completion Date: 1/7/2018
Square Footage: 6760
Building Use: Custom residence
Location: Alamitos Bay - Long Beach California
Project Description:
Our client came to us with a short but important list of requirements for what would become his new home: Modern & Distinct. A material palette filled with natural wood tones, masculine natural stone, bright white stucco with dark metal trim. And lots of glass.
Our design started by looking at the outdoor spaces, and how to best utilize every square inch of our unique alley-loaded site. Our client’s program described a fun but functional set of spaces. We chose to vertically integrate the entire project with a specific and preferred function. We used the energy of the site to tie all these spaces together from the top floor to the bottom. Every nook and cranny became a place to occupy and experience.
In terms of program, the selected design seemed to pour itself out of the requirements given, and the constraints of the oceanfront lot. The ground floor acts as the Beach house with open deck, indoor/outdoor bar and BBQ, and massive grass motor-court that can be opened all the way through for any gathering, large or small. Because of the unique dead-end alley condition, our motor-court has to do double duty and acts as our parkway with required turning radius. We used hardy turf varieties that can withstand daily parking, but also be soft and lush enough for a game of catch.
Where the first level acts as the game room, the 2nd floor acts as the main living level with an entertaining kitchen, living, dining, and wine bar with a view through the see-through spa above on the roof. Solid surfaces become decks as bi-folding and sliding doors open them to the elements. The bedrooms are close but private in their own wing with private screened terraces, including a casita, accessed only from the exterior stairway at the side of the home.
The 3rd floor is the private suite to the client, housing the master bedroom with views to the Los Alamitos Bay, Canals with callbacks to Venice, and the city and mountains beyond. Adjacent is the rooftop deck, housing an entire kitchen, pizza-oven, living space, and see-through spa. It’s the backyard, but placed on the roof with views to match. The roof can be accessed via exterior stair as well which also connects to the expansive private office space that the client can use to privately meet with guests. Covering this deck at the roof is the unique vertical element that rises from the ground floor and curves to cover the main entertaining space above. At night, soft white curtains can be drawn across the space, which when lit from the inside will light up like a lantern.
C.O.T.E. | Committee on the Environment
Submitted By: |
RIchard A. Weie AIA, NCARB |
Design Architect: |
Bryce Sigourney |
Associate Architect or Firm: |
Architecture firm : Urban Arena |
Landscape Architect: |
Landscape Architecture firm: Urban Arena |
Owner / Developer: |
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Engineer: |
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General Contractor: |
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Consultant: |
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Photographer: |
5716 Bayshore
Category
Residential Custom