Cove Colony

The first floor of this 3,450 square foot home for a family of four, located on a 50-foot wide lot fronting the Pacific Ocean in Malibu, is just 12-14 feet above the high-tide line. Along with a fondness for the sun-washed spaces of Mediterranean architecture, the owners wanted their house to accommodate both ocean and inland views. Privacy from both street activity and adjacent two-story houses was a further concern. 

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The house itself was conceived as a simple organization of two white plaster boxes linked by a central sky lit hallway. Skylights define circulation, articulate programmatic functions, and provide natural light without compromising privacy . Continuity of material and form throughout serve to dissolve boundaries between interior and exterior while expanding the perceived size of the home. 

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The two-story entry hall, around which living and sleeping spaces are oriented, separates and organizes the various functions within the home. Upstairs bedroom and library windows open onto the space, providing additional natural light to the rooms, provide views, and facilitate communication with the spaces below. A series of similar one and two story sky lit spaces throughout the house serve in much the same manner, and first floor skylit recesses at the entry hall and kitchen allow street side bedrooms to enjoy ocean views. 

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To dissolve any visual discontinuity between the naturally finished interior oak floors and exterior Douglas Fir decking, flush windowsills were designed to allow exterior glass to extend to the floor line. The kitchen and dining areas feature oak counter tops and buffets, and oak seating ledges and hearths in the family and living spaces further serve to unify the design 

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1983 Los Angeles AIA Honor Award

1984 California AIA Honor Award 

1984 Builder Magazine Merit Award 

1985 Pacific Coast Builders Grand Award