Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, United States
Dirk Denison Architects
Post By:Kitticoon Poopong
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| Photo © Courtesy of Dirk Denison Architects |
The dense and steep site of this weekend house in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California required a precise refinement of the volume of the existing building to maximize the unused breadth of the home and the views of the
Pacific. A central space defined by intricate and variable screen of
mahogany planks and fully folding
glass walls was designed to visually connect the
private spaces at the rear of the house to the central courtyard through to the seafront
living room and kitchen. The low-profile
steel cable structure supporting the
glass ceiling of the courtyard maximizes the glass surface area to allow the sun to warm the core of the home and protect it from the strong sea winds.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Dirk Denison Architects |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Dirk Denison Architects |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Dirk Denison Architects |
The cedar siding and mahogany windows warm the exterior volumes and help to balance the scale of the house to the density of its environment, woven in and out of view through the surrounding homes and tall, native
cypress trees. Throughout the interior, highly programmed and cleanly detailed mahogany cabinetry is complemented by the live-edge walnut Nakashima furniture pieces and carefully selected fabrics and finishes.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Dirk Denison Architects |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Dirk Denison Architects |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Dirk Denison Architects |
Great care was taken to open the rear of the house up to the garden at the northeast corner of the site. Lush and colorful plantings in this area come into view when climbing the cantilevered wood and glass staircase delicately attached to the exterior of the house and the main access to the solace of the mediation room on the second floor.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Dirk Denison Architects |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Dirk Denison Architects |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Dirk Denison Architects |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Dirk Denison Architects |
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| floor plans--drawing Courtesy of Dirk Denison Architects |
The people
Architect: Dirk Denison Architects
Location: Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, United States
Photographs: Courtesy of Dirk Denison Architects
