The Ribera Road residence is a modern vacation home by the beach for a three-generation family to enjoy both indoor and outdoor spaces fluidly. The house maximizes the coastal site’s potential, elegantly provides both private and open social space, and consciously reduces energy use and ecological impact.
Perched above the Carmel River as it meets the sea, Ribera Road’s floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and large windows embrace the expansive ocean and valley views. An infinity-edge plunge pool and cascading series of outdoor decks lend to an year-round, outdoor oasis for a multi-generational family of nine from the city.
A tactile wall clad in warm sandstone not only supports the floating roof above but also delineates the home between the open, boundary-free living area and cozy, private bedrooms. The project was able to reuse a previous building’s concrete foundation, thus reducing the impact of construction on the fragile river at the base of the site. Large openings allow for natural light and ventilation, while generous overhangs shield from solar heat gain. In-floor radiant heating runs off electric power, much of which is generated by the photovoltaics on the project’s roof. Excess solar energy is stored on site with a battery backup system, and even the pool is warmed with solar hot water heating.
The home’s design truly celebrates all the site has to offer and provides a refuge for sustainable enjoyment of this uniquely beautiful, intricate place.
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