Coastal Retreat
Big Sur, CA/Elev. 420ft
An off-grid cliffside home shaped by coastal weather.
StatusConcept
ScopeArchitecture, Interior
Materialsboard-formed concrete, weathered corten steel, reclaimed redwood
Architecture as a geological extension. A form shaped by the wind, designed to weather, age, and endure the raw exposure of the cliff edge.
Cliffside Opening
Approaching the Edge
The approach is defined by the sound of the ocean. The structure reveals itself slowly, its corten steel shell blending into the rusty hues of the coastal scrub.
An off-grid home shaped by coastal weather.
Wind
Shaped by Forces
The roofline is not arbitrary; it is aerodynamic. It slopes to guide the prevailing winds over the structure, preventing uplift during severe coastal storms.
Sloped to guide the prevailing winds over the structure.
Bedrock
Anchored to the Earth
To safely inhabit the cliff, the foundation utilizes deep bedrock pins, securing the heavy board-formed concrete base seamlessly into the geology.
Deep bedrock pins secure the heavy board-formed concrete base.
Shelter
A Warm Cave
Against the extreme exposure of the exterior, the interior is a warm, protected refuge wrapped in reclaimed redwood, offering solitary views of the Pacific.
The interior provides a warm, sheltered vantage point over the Pacific.
Off-grid Systems
Autonomy
The home operates entirely off-grid, utilizing discrete solar arrays, water catchment, and passive thermal regulation.
The home operates entirely off-grid.
Climatic Forces
Designed to withstand extreme coastal conditions, the structure embraces the corrosive salt air rather than fighting it.
Material Resilience
Materials are selected not for their pristine finish, but for their capacity to weather gracefully. The board-formed concrete and weathered corten steel form a protective shell that registers the passage of time and the force of the coastal climate.
Design Life100+ Years
Planning a similar project?
Book a private consultation to discuss your site, timeline, and spatial goals. We can use Coastal Retreatas a reference for your project's potential.
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