Houzz Tours
USA Houzz: A Modern Surf House Full of California Soul
In Santa Cruz, a bohemian oceanfront getaway celebrates craftsmanship, design, sustainability and surf culture
When a family of surfers decided to build a Californian holiday home in the husband’s hometown of Santa Cruz, USA, they wanted to create an environmentally sensitive design that was congruous with the neighbourhood. But the home also needed to be worthy of the spectacular setting: a bluff overlooking one of the state’s best surf breaks. The family looked to award-winning firms Feldman Architecture and Commune Design to realise its dream.
Because of the home’s proximity to the cliff edge, everyone understood that it would be a complex undertaking. Still, red tape and severe storms threatened the design, and rising construction costs almost sank the project. Fortunately, with the help of RJL Construction, Feldman Architecture righted the ship. Now a modern marvel wrought in reclaimed Monterey cypress and filled with Californian creativity sits lightly upon the land, close – but not too close – to where it meets the sea.
Because of the home’s proximity to the cliff edge, everyone understood that it would be a complex undertaking. Still, red tape and severe storms threatened the design, and rising construction costs almost sank the project. Fortunately, with the help of RJL Construction, Feldman Architecture righted the ship. Now a modern marvel wrought in reclaimed Monterey cypress and filled with Californian creativity sits lightly upon the land, close – but not too close – to where it meets the sea.
The Silicon Valley-based homeowners had used an older home on the site for several years before embarking on the project, so they already had an intimate sense of the daily and seasonal impacts of weather on the home and property, says Feldman Architecture partner Chris Kurrle, who worked on the project with Feldman and associate Matt Lindsay. Thanks to that home, the owners and design team also had the advantage of being able to scope out the second-story vistas.
“All of this helped inform the siting strategies and the locations of internal spaces and views,” says Kurrle. “It also gave everyone a wonderful sense of the place, which set the tone for the entire project.”
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“All of this helped inform the siting strategies and the locations of internal spaces and views,” says Kurrle. “It also gave everyone a wonderful sense of the place, which set the tone for the entire project.”
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The geology of the land also determined where they could build.
Per requirements set by the California Coastal Commission and local building and planning departments, they had to set the home far enough back from the bluff that it could ‘live’ for 100 years before being threatened by the edge’s retreat.
Per requirements set by the California Coastal Commission and local building and planning departments, they had to set the home far enough back from the bluff that it could ‘live’ for 100 years before being threatened by the edge’s retreat.
A section drawing illustrating the home’s relationship to the cliff edge.
Geologists calculated a safe distance and the project commenced. But midway through construction, unusually severe winter storms hit the property, knocking down part of the cliff, sending a tree tumbling into the ocean below and triggering a reevaluation of that setback. The stakes were high, but fortunately the geologists’ reevaluation was ultimately in their favour, and the design was able to remain intact.
Geologists calculated a safe distance and the project commenced. But midway through construction, unusually severe winter storms hit the property, knocking down part of the cliff, sending a tree tumbling into the ocean below and triggering a reevaluation of that setback. The stakes were high, but fortunately the geologists’ reevaluation was ultimately in their favour, and the design was able to remain intact.
A site plan showing the scale and layout of the buildings on the property.
At one point between the lengthy entitlements process, skyrocketing construction costs and high initial bids, “we were close to pulling the plug on this project,” says Feldman. He calls RJL Construction “the real heroes of the project” for enabling them to execute their design within the cost constraints.
At one point between the lengthy entitlements process, skyrocketing construction costs and high initial bids, “we were close to pulling the plug on this project,” says Feldman. He calls RJL Construction “the real heroes of the project” for enabling them to execute their design within the cost constraints.
Sourcing natural, sustainable materials was as important to the homeowners as responsibly siting the home’s location was. The exterior is clad in board-and-batten siding made from reclaimed Monterey cypress, a species endemic to California. It’s unstained, which will allow it to weather to a beautiful silvery grey in the salt air.
In one of the outdoor areas (pictured here) overlooking the ocean, a dining space, custom copper in-ground spa, kitchen and barbecue encourage gathering and entertaining.
In one of the outdoor areas (pictured here) overlooking the ocean, a dining space, custom copper in-ground spa, kitchen and barbecue encourage gathering and entertaining.
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The interior timber, including the cabinets, is also reclaimed Monterey cypress, stained to give it a warm tone.
The timber is perhaps the home’s most humble feature and its greatest asset. It was all sourced locally by Evan Shively of Arborica, one of the most respected sawyers in the business.
“The reclaimed Monterey cypress was used from ‘tail to snout,’ or maybe ‘twig to trunk,’ in that the lowest-grade wood served as the exterior siding and fencing, while the highest-grade delicately graces the interiors – making the home structurally mirror the Cypress tree itself,” says Kurrle, who credits Shively for the vision.
“Waste in the milling process and trunk use was minimised by holistically integrating every level of wood grade and their respective quantities and dimensions into the design.”
A huge log reclaimed from a cemetery in Colma, California – dubbed ‘The Colma Biggin’ – provided beautiful, clean-grained wood for all of the flooring.
The timber is perhaps the home’s most humble feature and its greatest asset. It was all sourced locally by Evan Shively of Arborica, one of the most respected sawyers in the business.
“The reclaimed Monterey cypress was used from ‘tail to snout,’ or maybe ‘twig to trunk,’ in that the lowest-grade wood served as the exterior siding and fencing, while the highest-grade delicately graces the interiors – making the home structurally mirror the Cypress tree itself,” says Kurrle, who credits Shively for the vision.
“Waste in the milling process and trunk use was minimised by holistically integrating every level of wood grade and their respective quantities and dimensions into the design.”
A huge log reclaimed from a cemetery in Colma, California – dubbed ‘The Colma Biggin’ – provided beautiful, clean-grained wood for all of the flooring.
To create the look and feel of the home, Feldman Architecture and its collaborators at Los Angeles-based interiors studio Commune Design drew inspiration from an aesthetic they called the ‘Professor Who Surfs’. Commune Design describes the vibe as “free-spirited but intellectual, casual and highly practical, yet fully considered”.
This metaphorical free-spirited intellectual apparently has a great eye for design, as do the real-life homeowners. One is a trained chef who was extremely involved in the kitchen’s layout and details, Kurrle explains. The open shelves are filled with pottery by Sausalito, California-based Heath Ceramics, among other makers. Bright blues pop against the warm wood and black soapstone benchtop and splashback.
The entrance to a walk-in pantry is in the corner, between the refrigerator (concealed on the right) and the stove, which has a white Italian plaster range hood.
This metaphorical free-spirited intellectual apparently has a great eye for design, as do the real-life homeowners. One is a trained chef who was extremely involved in the kitchen’s layout and details, Kurrle explains. The open shelves are filled with pottery by Sausalito, California-based Heath Ceramics, among other makers. Bright blues pop against the warm wood and black soapstone benchtop and splashback.
The entrance to a walk-in pantry is in the corner, between the refrigerator (concealed on the right) and the stove, which has a white Italian plaster range hood.
The kitchen opens to the dining room and a living room, a sliver of which is seen here. Glass doors slide open completely, creating an uninterrupted flow between the indoor and outdoor living spaces.
Underfloor heating makes the home cosy and, thanks to the coastal setting, ocean breezes alone provide cooling.
Underfloor heating makes the home cosy and, thanks to the coastal setting, ocean breezes alone provide cooling.
Looking straight from the entry across the dining area and out through the back windows, you can just make out Moss Landing across Monterey Bay.
To keep all eyes on that view, the architects created a cypress-and-steel staircase with a simple open-tread design and a slim balustrade, offsetting the single stair stringer on the wall to minimise its visual impact.
To keep all eyes on that view, the architects created a cypress-and-steel staircase with a simple open-tread design and a slim balustrade, offsetting the single stair stringer on the wall to minimise its visual impact.
Here you can see the beautiful grain of the cypress treads and the elegant way they meet the steel balusters.
Browse more beautifully designed floating staircases
Browse more beautifully designed floating staircases
This wider shot reveals a built-in nook in the entry, backed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn fabric.
Throughout the home are furniture pieces and other works by renowned artists, artisans and designers – many based in California – including sculptors Stan Bitters and Alma Allen; furniture designers Tripp Carpenter, Doug McCollough and Sam Maloof; artists Tanya Aguiñiga and BBDW; and the Nakashima timber workshops. They’re mixed with custom upholstered seating, vintage furnishings and lighting (including fixtures by Paavo Tynell and Ignazio Gardella) as well as found objects.
Throughout the home are furniture pieces and other works by renowned artists, artisans and designers – many based in California – including sculptors Stan Bitters and Alma Allen; furniture designers Tripp Carpenter, Doug McCollough and Sam Maloof; artists Tanya Aguiñiga and BBDW; and the Nakashima timber workshops. They’re mixed with custom upholstered seating, vintage furnishings and lighting (including fixtures by Paavo Tynell and Ignazio Gardella) as well as found objects.
Seen here, the ocean-facing primary bedroom is upstairs, as is an office and another bedroom.
The kaleidoscope-pattern rug is from Commune Design’s collection with contemporary rug maker Christopher Farr.
The kaleidoscope-pattern rug is from Commune Design’s collection with contemporary rug maker Christopher Farr.
Allison Harding curated artwork throughout the home, which is a mix of vintage and new. Much of it was influenced by the USA West Coast’s skate and surf culture in the 1960s and ’70s.
Not visible here is a textile piece by California contemporary textile artist Kira Dominguez Hultgren, which hangs above the bed.
Not visible here is a textile piece by California contemporary textile artist Kira Dominguez Hultgren, which hangs above the bed.
The primary bath features a large soaking tub.
Lutron’s HomeWorks system integrates control of the home’s lighting and window shades.
Lutron’s HomeWorks system integrates control of the home’s lighting and window shades.
On the first floor, Commune Design’s Mochi cement tiles in Indigo, a collaboration with Exquisite Surfaces, clad the walls and floor of a guest bathroom’s shower. The Vola fixtures are unlacquered brass.
Throughout the house, Commune Design used materials, including unlacquered copper and brass, intended to develop a patina over time.
Throughout the house, Commune Design used materials, including unlacquered copper and brass, intended to develop a patina over time.
A guest room and a family room face an internal courtyard. (There’s a bunk room on the first floor too.)
Across the courtyard are two single-story structures that create the home’s low-profile street-facing facade. On the left is a garage; the surfboard hints at what’s inside the structure on the right.
(Scroll to the second-to-last photo to see the layout of the structures and courtyards.)
Across the courtyard are two single-story structures that create the home’s low-profile street-facing facade. On the left is a garage; the surfboard hints at what’s inside the structure on the right.
(Scroll to the second-to-last photo to see the layout of the structures and courtyards.)
The courtyard is the perfect entertaining spot in the afternoon and evenings, Kurrle explains, because the home protects itself from strong winds.
Tiles created by Stan Bitters, a Californian ceramic sculptor, surround the courtyard’s wood-burning fireplace, which anchors the space.
Tiles created by Stan Bitters, a Californian ceramic sculptor, surround the courtyard’s wood-burning fireplace, which anchors the space.
The open bi-fold door on the right-hand structure here reveals a room outfitted for fun.
“Every member of the family is a surfer and a lover of the ocean,” says Kurrle. “The board room, as it was coined, serves as both surfboard and gear storage, as well as a wet bar accessible when entertaining in the adjacent front courtyard.”
If you click on this image and the previous photo, you can see how an oversize pegboard system covering three of the walls keeps all the large sporting gear organised.
“Every member of the family is a surfer and a lover of the ocean,” says Kurrle. “The board room, as it was coined, serves as both surfboard and gear storage, as well as a wet bar accessible when entertaining in the adjacent front courtyard.”
If you click on this image and the previous photo, you can see how an oversize pegboard system covering three of the walls keeps all the large sporting gear organised.
Between the board room and the front courtyard is an outdoor shower area.
You can almost hear it calling, ‘Rinse and repeat’.
You can almost hear it calling, ‘Rinse and repeat’.
Your turn
Which aspects of this design do you love? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the renovation conversation.
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For a peek into another beautifully designed space, check out this Madrid Garden Tour: A Villa’s Huge Biodiverse, Sustainable Garden
Which aspects of this design do you love? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the renovation conversation.
More
For a peek into another beautifully designed space, check out this Madrid Garden Tour: A Villa’s Huge Biodiverse, Sustainable Garden
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two daughters
Location: Santa Cruz, USA
Size: 417 square metres with four bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms
Designers: Chris Kurrle, Jonathan Feldman and Matt Lindsay of Feldman Architecture (architecture); Commune Design (interior design); Ground Studio (landscape design); Tucci Lighting (lighting design)
Builder: RJL Construction
“This project was very exciting from day one,” says Jonathan Feldman, founding partner and CEO of his eponymous San Francisco-based architectural firm.
“The site, with its relationship to the dramatic coastal cliff and the amazing panoramic ocean views, was quite special, as was the owners’ excitement to create something very specific and special for their young family. They had previously done a significant residential project and said, ‘This time we want to do it right’.”