Big Windows and White Paint Punch Up a Gloomy ’60s California Beach House

Fuse architects shed the home’s dark shingles—including ones inside—and covered its ocean-facing facade with glazing for better views and brighter spaces.

Feb 17, 2023 - 19:00

Big Windows and White Paint Punch Up a Gloomy ’60s California Beach House

Fuse architects shed the home’s dark shingles—including ones inside—and covered its ocean-facing facade with glazing for better views and brighter spaces.

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Project Details:

Location: Watsonville, California

Architect: Fuse Architects / @fuse_architects_builders

Footprint: 1,521 square feet

General Contractor: Hagen Colbert

Structural Engineer: Cascadia Engineering

Photographer: Joe Fletcher / @joefletcherphoto

From the Architects: "This home in Pajaro Dunes was purchased by our clients, a family of five, to serve as a retreat from the city. The idea was to take the existing house and give it new life—one that met the needs and aesthetics of our designer clients. Although the shape and form of the remodeled home remains relatively unchanged from its original design, we closely collaborated with our clients to take advantage of the ocean’s proximity by opening up the walls and providing framed views of the coast line.

"We chose to utilize a dark cedar exterior to ground the home within the surrounding dunes and a contrasting natural cedar to accentuate the point of entry. The interior of the home remains clean, simple, and minimal to accentuate a light-filled space that allows the natural outdoor landscaping to be the focus. The high level of detailing express a complexity that makes this project a testament to a successful collaboration of owner, architect, and builder.

"The original house was clad entirely with cedar shingles both inside and out: the walls, roof, and ceilings. The client described it as living inside a tree. The house was very inwardly focused with low-lying windows that you couldn’t see out of unless you ducked or sat down. In rethinking the house, we created a light-filled space that embraces the amazing natural setting with views from the inside to the ocean and dunes. By creating a dark exterior with an accentuated entry we created contrast to the grass swept dunes. This provides an interesting backdrop to the grasses which further enhance the natural setting.

"The interior contrasts with white plaster, allowing natural light to disperse throughout the home from a central skylight over the kitchen bringing light to all the perimeter rooms through interior glass."