Program: The architect—a Hermosa Beach native—wanted to build a house that would attract a contemporary, urban buyer seeking a home in a quiet beach community.

Location: Hermosa Beach, California

Solution: The architect designed a wood-frame, split-level house with a covered deck and open kitchen, dining, and living space occupying the top floor. He situated the master suite and an attached patio on the ground level, with three additional bedrooms on the lower level.

Construction and materials: The board-formed concrete exterior features smooth stucco, mahogany siding, factory coated aluminum, and a galvanized steel railing. Inside, a similarly restrained palette of white and wood utilizes engineered white oak floors, smooth epoxy concrete floors, and rift-cut white oak cabinetry.

Additional Information

Completion date: May 2016

Gross square footage: 3,200 sf

Total project cost: $2 million

Total construction cost: $1 million

Owner: Luc Berne