The Seadrift Residence is located on a coveted ocean-front lot in Stinson Beach, CA. The lot has two distinct personalities:  one oriented to the ocean, the other to Mt Tamalpais.  The owner had two requests:  design my dream house and make it as sustainable as possible.  

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Sustainability is at the heart of this project.  Net zero energy was mandated.  PV panels blanket the roof, native plants populate the landscape, geothermal systems assist in heating and cooling and all rainwater drainage is fed into a large cistern to be reserved for later use.

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The house itself is a simple arrangement of a large central glass-enclosed volume for living, kitchen and dining areas which is flanked by a private master suite wing and a guest wing. Using expansive sliding and pivoting glass doors, the main living volume visually and physically opens up to decks on both the ocean and mountain sides as well as gardens which create buffers between the main volume and both wings. The master and guest wings are both curved to tune views to the mountains and ocean.  

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Materials are locally sourced.  Two stone masses in the living volume provide an anchor point for the cantilevered roof which tapers as it reaches towards the ocean and the mountain.  The roof is engineered as lightweight composite modular panels clad with a wood veneer.  Lighting and building services are incorporated within slots in the ceiling which is modulated to create a sculptural undulating surface.  Interior walls and floors are also wood. Exterior walls are clad in Shou Sugi Ban, an ancient Japanese method for preserving and treating wood against damage by charring the surface.   

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