Objectives

This new construction project for a residential home began with a small, sloping lot near downtown San Diego. To most viewers, the lot did not have much appeal. However, the site was situated with western views over San Diego bay and ocean from the higher elevations. (The site lot can be viewed in the sequence of enlarged photos.)

The goal became to situate a residential home on the property while maximizing views to the bay and the home's square footage. Special consideration was needed to not make the house too big as not to blend in with neighborhood and surrounding landscape.

Solutions

A contemporary style, 3-story, 2800 sqft. home provided the solution. Living areas were located on the third and second levels while garage and office space occupy the first and lowest level of the home. There is a twenty foot drop from street access on the third floor to the garages on the first floor.

The front door resides on the third floor and opens to the main areas: kitchen, dining and living rooms. Three bedrooms are housed on the second floor. Both the third and second floors have large windows providing maximum exposure to the views. Large decks accessed through French doors provide a strong indooor/outdoor relations from all the rooms and outdoor entertaining and dining from the third floor.

Garage, storage and office space are located on the first floor. The degree of slope on the lot allows for ample windows on the third floor for natual light and avoidance of a closed-in basement feeling. The first floor area opens to an outdoor patio and private garden. The garden is especially pleasant as it again takes advantage of the site's slope, providing private and quiet retreat in downtown San Diego.

Services Provided

Architecture
Structural Design