Pacific Avenue Residence

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Location:Manhattan Beach, CA

Perched on a hilltop in a coastal neighborhood, this residence reflects its owner's appreciation for clean lines, visual simplicity, and quiet surprises. Winner of multiple architecture awards, this hilltop home was designed around the themes modern, coastal, and sanctuary. Its form reinterprets a beach shack with clean lines and a pitched roof. Its materials echo driftwood and beach stone and its spaces maximize daylight, openness, and human scale.

A central glass entry hall, skylights, and large openings create a bright, flowing environment and connect indoors with outdoors. Sustainability is central, with passive cooling, geothermal systems, and solar panels reducing environmental impact.

Designed for a large, community-oriented family, the residence offers a sanctuary-like atmosphere that captures the relaxed, connected feeling of beach living, even off the shore.

the material palette uses driftwood and smooth stone as inspiration to bring the beach into the residence.
A thoughtful evolution from simple form to sculptural home, shaped with intention and character.
we drew on the inspiration of a classic window shutter, reinterpreted and simplified to add a little character to the home.

The stone privacy wall and it’s floating canopy directs the us into the glass entry hall where abundant natural light penetrates the heart of the home while directing our attention to the monumental staircase.

Large windows and doors in strategic locations create opportunities for rhythmic shadows to enter.

glass entry hall brings in lots of daylight into the kitchen and main entry
commentary on stone slab and built in cabinetry/millwork
Modern living room with built-in entertainment center, floating staircase, and yellow butterfly artwork
across the swimming pool, a guest house with it’s own outdoor hearth.

The design is organized around a central glass entry hall. It, along with abundant skylights and large windows and doors, allows natural daylight to spill in. The two-story volume also announces the main entry and showcases the home’s monumental stairs.

Modern entryway with floating wood staircase, black metal railing, yellow butterfly art, and view to outdoor patio.
Upper floor landing with abstract tree artwork, exposed wood beam ceiling, and black railing overlooking white-clad exterior

“We don’t want the house to feel dark.”

Wright Family

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Modern kitchen with taupe cabinetry, marble backsplash, brass fixtures, and large windows framing lush greenery outside.
Kitchen island with light wood drawers and marble top beside window overlooking lush green foliage
Kitchen island with light wood drawers and marble top beside window overlooking lush green foliage

In addition to daylighting and passive cooling through the thermal chimney effect of the glass hall, the house uses a sizable geothermal system and PV array to minimize its environmental impact greatly.

This is a place for a large family to thrive, a sanctuary to feel safe and connected with each other and their natural surroundings. Although not on the beach, it’s a place to feel that same “beach” feeling while at home.

Modern freestanding bathtub beside window with wooden bath caddy, dried flowers, and natural light
Modern walk-in shower with veined marble walls, glass door, black fixtures, and wooden slat floor mat beside white towel.
Modern residential amenity space with glass-walled gym, marble kitchen island with bar seating, and bright hallway beyond
Modern laundry room with stacked Whirlpool washer-dryer, navy cabinetry, woven storage baskets, and floral wallpaper.
Modern laundry room with stacked Whirlpool washer-dryer, navy cabinetry, woven storage baskets, and floral wallpaper.
Modern two-story home with white vertical siding, dark-framed windows, and native landscaping under clear blue sky.