You could call the building a narcissist, as it only looked inward. Even internally, those who lived in the home were closed off from one another because of the dark, confined spaces. This was not beach living at its best.

Electric Bowery Architects took on the challenge. Connectivity to place and people was the goal. Internally. Externally. And, along the various thresholds in between.

“The existing house was on a street with beautiful quaint historic beach cottages. The biggest challenge was taking this cold monolithic industrial building and reintegrating it into the neighborhood’s warm friendly vibe,” says Cayley Lambur, Principal at Electric Bowery. “It was also about embracing the feeling of life you find inside those beach bungalows.”

Creating a home that embodied the social and open spirit of beach living meant opening up the main living space. The kitchen was moved from a dark corner to a central location, with the dining area radiating towards the living room. It feels and works as one, but with function delineated to specific areas.

It connects with the client’s lifestyle, bringing work, play, and people together.

The design of the Henrybuilt kitchen system unifies modern and traditional aesthetics and sensibilities that are too often pulled apart.

Those traditional values are embedded in the high level of handcraft and natural material in Henrybuilt’s system. It supports the beyond-the-superficial beach lifestyle the client was after. And, makes routine, everyday activities feel simple and natural – and, when possible – artful.

That natural way of moving through and living in the space is a result of the connection of form and function. Like the bar block where the function is woven in. It’s beautiful and becomes even more so when it works well. It’s the magic of the system – a word that has a bad reputation.

“We usually shy away from systems because they can feel very slick and restrictive. A ‘here's your kit of parts’ approach,” says Lambur. “Henrybuilt offers far more customization and provides the functionality and natural feel that the clients love.”

The architects afforded every part of the home with respect. Nothing was an afterthought.

Henrybuilt systems were used throughout the home to bring continuity in touch, feel, and functionality.

To create a ‘stepping out in the garden' feeling - with no yard or increase of footprint available - small patios were added to the office and adjacent to the kitchen to accommodate a cook’s herb garden.

The architects reworked the floor plan to increase the connection to the home’s natural environment. It wasn’t just about eliminating interior walls and adding windows. A ‘fishbowl’ - with living on full display - wasn’t the goal. It was an exercise in turning the space inside out to capture light and embrace the views, while still providing privacy and an intimate feeling indoors.

Nowhere was this more relevant than in the main bedroom suite.

“The primary bedroom sat in the center of the floor. It was dark and didn’t celebrate the beauty of the beach location,” says Lambur.

Relocated to the south end of the floor, the space was artfully arranged to maintain a feeling of privacy while incorporating connections to the outdoors. The bedrooms opens to a private terrace shielded on the sides but with a full view of the sky. A spacious sanctuary with a fireplace and hot and cold plunge pools. It celebrates the Southern California locale, offering an intimate and inviting connection to nature.

The dressing and wardrobe area is quietly tucked to the side.

Bringing the natural feel indoors was as important as connection to the outdoors. Materials played a significant part. Wood was incorporated throughout the home in a soft-spoken, not heavy-handed manner. The tone of the surrounding sand drove the palette in a neutral, light, and warm direction.

Consistency was key to link spaces visually and in ‘touch’. So was executing that in a way that didn’t breed monotony. White oak is a dominant material, offset by touches of dark wood in select locations, as well as dark and brass metal accents.

“The Henrybuilt wood is beautiful and solid. The quality is so rich. There is a depth to it,” says the client. “It is luxurious, but not precious.”