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Hermosa Beach
Situated on an active beach walk, the owners of this property requested a design that would pique the interest of a passerby. One element that achieved this goal is a linear water feature that extends along a raised beachfront deck. Since the completion of this project, people often run their hands through the water as they walk by and will engage the owners in conversation, proving this to be a successful design element.
The water theme also extends around this home. A two-story waterfall splashes into a pond situated below a glass and stainless-steel staircase, water spills over one end of a bar counter before flowing out to the beachfront, water from entry-court waterfalls flow beneath the front landing, and a long wire mesh waterfall illuminates the spa deck.
From the interior, large glass openings frame views of the Pacific Ocean and sand volleyball courts. These large openings also invite the curiosity of passerby’s, especially in the evening when the detailed lighting design creates the effect of an intriguing stage set. This is a home for entertainment and a place to see and to be seen.
Kahala
While the layout of this house takes advantage of a corner lot’s visual openness, the curved street corner gives form to a circular kitchen. Walls of smooth-finished coral extend out from the house to emphasize the indoor/outdoor lifestyle of Hawaii. In the living room, clerestory windows provide light and ventilation, a mahogany grid defines the circulation path, and pivot doors open to a pool lanai. The master bedroom also connects intimately to this lanai with doors that swing open to the pool’s edge.
Manhattan Beach
This contemporary style home takes advantage of a narrow lot that opens to a pedestrian walk on one end and a vehicular street on the other. In response to the narrow lot (6’ between homes), textured glazing was used along the side- walls to provide both privacy and daylight. At each end of the house, open exterior decks focus views towards the ocean and provide a sense of an extended interior living space. The interior-exterior connection is also reinforced with the use of natural wood finishes that extend from the interior to the exterior of this home.
Halawa Heights
Inspired by Sarah Susanka’s Not so Big House, this client wanted to use his modest budget to build a small, efficient home. The young homeowner also wanted a home unlike the typical ranch house that had previously occupied his lot. The new design features a “butterfly” roof that rises up to enhance the views of Pearl Harbor, provide shading, and funnel rainwater to a central gutter, where it dramatically spills out from a large scupper. A future cistern will capture this water for irrigation. Inside, a long linear skylight allows daylight to wash down a two-story hallway. This hallway also provides natural ventilation as tall jalousie windows catch the trade-winds, and expels warm air by pulling cool air in through windows set low along the green backyard lawn.
