Perched high on a hilltop in the coastal town of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, this two-home redevelopment project was conceived to both maximize views and provide multiple independent living arrangements.
The two homes face west towards the Pacific with an open space nature preserve to the east and lagoon to the south.
The site layout has the larger 3,003 square foot, (279 square meter), two-story “South House” on the southern side of the trapezoidal site and the three level, smaller 1,363 square foot, (127 square meter), “North House” on the northern side.
The materials palette in the project consists of western red cedar siding, cast in place concrete and natural aluminum metal cladding. These materials, in addition to their natural beauty, were selected due to their ability to both withstand the corrosive salt air environment, and, allow for a greater degree of protection from potential wildfires coming from the hillside to the east.
Both homes utilize large expanding bi-fold glass door systems to maximize views, bring in fresh sea breezes and expand the living areas to the decks and terraces. Water wise landscape filters stormwater run-off and adds to the layering for privacy from the public street to the entry.
The homes were designed and built concurrently with an intentional relationship to each other but still stand independent both in terms of form and design solutions. Large overhangs and covered outdoor spaces allow for year-round use of the decks. The south house further activates the frontage with a raised garden terrace that includes usable outdoor space, water features for white noise and a fire pit for warming on cool nights.
The interiors of the homes continue with the use of a natural materials palette with exposed “blackened” concrete floors, hardwood flooring and natural stone materials for counters. The North House has exposed beam ceilings and the South House has long runs of variegated cedar planks to visually expand the rooms towards the views.
The initial concept and project goal was to create the opportunity to have multiple rental units for the single occupant so he could live in the South House while maintaining privacy. The small apartments, each with separate entries and kitchens, could alternately be used as studio workspaces, guest suites for visitors or simply rented as a residential unit. However, upon completion of the South House the owner has decided to make the South House solely his family home with the North House being rented separately.
Team:
Architects: Brett Farrow Architect, Inc.
Interiors, Lighting, Art Consultation: Heidi Farrow- Partner
Photography: Auda & Auda Photography + Connor Newton Photography
Materials Used:
Facade cladding: Western Red Cedar 1x6 select tight knot, tongue & groove
Flooring: Brazilian Oak & Blackened Concrete Slab
Doors: Fleetwood
Windows: Fleetwood
Roofing: TPO Membrane
Interior furniture: Various, sourced from Design Within Reach
Add more if available Cast In Place, Board Form Concrete
Aluminum Cladding
