Coleman 

 A seaside compound stands in contrast to a typical oceanfront property, where two-story volumes push to both property lines. The 'L' shaped house with its gabled roofs surrounds a courtyard while acting as a buffer to the large, overbearing house to the east.

 

The 4,300 square foot house serves as a weekend and summerhouse for a family of four. The courtyard becomes an outdoor room for living, dining, and family areas. A raised wall and trellis protects from winds and provides privacy from future development on the vacant lot to the west, while allowing full use of the grassed area for the two children. The 'L' shapes plan and detached guest house creates three distinct zones for parents, children, and guests to take maximum advantage of cross ventilation and views. Level changes and gates create a sense of arrival as the courtyard serves as a connection from the street to the sea.

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The separate guesthouse provides romance and privacy, while providing ocean and mountain views for visitors to take full advantage of. Simplicity of materials and repetitive forms, both indoor and outdoor, helps dissolve the boundaries and expand the space in response to the warmth and sunlight of the temperate coastal climate.