Manhattan Beach House

Merit Award

In a densely packed beachside neighborhood, Manhattan Beach House is intended to provide a spacious, peaceful feeling, offering an experience close to nature throughout the interior of the building itself.

Behind the street front, the volume of this house dissolves, with glimpses through openings between floors and between distant rooms. Though the surrounding buildings fill nearly all of their parcels, these openings bring natural light deep into the house.

The second floor screened courtyard is open to the sky and includes a small garden and fountain. A large maple tree is a reminder of natural time and the seasons and is visible throughout the house.

At the third floor living room, sliding glass doors open to a deck with a panoramic view. Along the entire length of the house, a slot of space sneaks through all the third floor spaces and aligns with a narrow street which runs toward the beach, allowing a distant view of breaking waves. The third floor living spaces adjoin a lap pool and vertical garden open to the sky. From the farthest, highest part of the house, at the end of the pool, one can look across the water in the pool, through the house, to the ocean beyond.

//comments

It’s a very well-executed project, with elegant materials and beautiful detailing. | It’s on a very tight site, but the design feels spacious.

//framework for design excellence measures

Measure 1: Design for Integration

Within an urban fabric, where most houses maximize square footage, Manhattan Beach House prizes closeness to nature, and substitutes openness for square footage. The design concept incorporates outdoor spaces throughout the building itself.

To reduce maintenance and respond gracefully to the passage of time, the building materials will weather naturally: oiled cedar; cast-in-place concrete, where required structurally; integrally colored stucco. During design and construction, we shared knowledge with both the clients and contractors about sustainable materials worth choosing and harmful materials worth avoiding – as well as materials which, though not considered harmful in themselves, are produced by a company which uses proceeds to lobby against climate action

Measure 2: Design for Equitable Communities

This home is integrated within the community fabric, which is walkable and dense, contributing spatial interest and natural materials to the streetscape.

Measure 3: Design for Ecosystems

Landscape plantings consist solely of non-invasive species, suited to the local enviroment. The landscape design concept incorporates various planting schemes at each floor represent various local ecosystems, based on exposure to sun and wind: 1st floor entry: shade garden (jasmine, lily); 2nd floor courtyard: dappled woods (maple tree, chain fern); 3rd floor front deck: beach dune (grasses, aeonium); 3rd floor pool deck: coastal meadow (hardy geranium, senecio).

Measure 4: Design for Water

The project uses low-flow plumbing fixtures throughout the property to reduce water consumption

Measure 5: Design for Economy

The building footprint is balanced by landscaping, including a garden courtyard. Given the lot size and the density of the neighborhood, the biggest challenge was not to overbuild and create something that coexisted with the neighboring homes. The home expands vertically with proportions of the buildings edge dedicated to landscape and experience-based ideas. This strategy allowed for an home that is synergetic with the neighborhood.

Measure 6: Design for Energy

Optimal air circulation is achieved through a passive system of operable openings and large overhangs for shading. All glazing is high performance low-e. The project takes advantage of strong sea breezes with cross-ventilation over the footprint of the home in addition to evaporative cooling from the strategically sited pool. Additional equipment strategies include: solar generation backed with battery storage; a high efficiency variable speed mechanical system (multi-zone); all energy star rated appliances; advanced programmable lighting control system; and electronic programmable thermostats.

Measure 7: Design for Well-Being

The design for wellness strategy focuses heavily on natural daylight and a connection to nature. Enclosed conditioned spaces are substituted for exterior spaces – including a courtyard & pool – within the building perimeter. Natural ventilation from operable windows Additional systems include whole house water filtration and water conditioning on hot water.

Measure 8: Design for Resources

To reduce maintenance and respond gracefully to the passage of time, the building materials will weather naturally: oiled cedar; cast-in-place concrete, where required structurally; integrally colored stucco.

During design and construction, we shared knowledge with both the clients and contractors about sustainable materials worth choosing and harmful materials worth avoiding – as well as materials which, though not considered harmful in themselves, are produced by a company which uses proceeds to lobby against climate action

Measure 9: Design for Change

Earthquakes and power outages are the primary threats to the building and resilience is addressed primarily through passive survivability. Habitable conditions are made possible by solar and battery backed energy, natural daylight from the courtyard and cross ventilation from operable glazing. Structurally, the building exceeds CA building code.

Measure 10: Design for Discovery

Our clients provide ongoing feedback as to comfort and use, and adjustments to the work are made accordingly.
At the onset of the project, we work closely with our clients to understand their needs and desires.