The “Upside-down House” best describes this California three-bedroom, 2-bath home because communal and landscaped outdoor spaces are on the top floors instead of the ground floor. The unconventional home is built on a mere 9.1m x 15.2m (30’ by 50’) back lot, entered off an alleyway where no gardens or yards are possible at ground level. This inverted planning gives the home optimal access to cooling sea breezes, views of the ocean only 100 meters away
(100 yards), and a garden roof deck. Committed to natural cooling methods, the stair is open on all sides, acts as the main natural ventilation space, and is topped by a huge operable skylight to help cool the house. The “floating” stair is also designed to be an exciting focal point
of the house. The house is crowned with a garden roof deck with ocean views and private outdoor area. Colorful tile walls greet visitors and are reminiscent of the colorful beach towels found on the beach nearby. Part of a texturally varied and well-balanced composition, the steel cladding wraps the building protectively on its south and west sides, where sun and wind are harshest.
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