Cornish House | Brett Farrow Architect

Cornish House, Brett Farrow Architect has completed a new residential project located in the Southern California Coastal community of Encinitas.  The small two bedroom, reverse floor plan home makes full use of the site’s panoramic ocean views from its hilltop location on a small and irregularly shaped lot. The relatively small 2,727 square foot trapezoidal site originally had a small studio with an illegally converted garage space used as a bedroom.

Photography by © Paul Rivera

Butt glazed corner windows remove the visual barriers to the exterior creating an effect that extends the space. Large overhangs and exposed structural wood beams elongate the ceiling lines visually stretching the space further while effectively managing the full exposure to harsh western sunlight while welcoming morning light through a ribbon window that frames views of the tree lines and hilltops to the east.

Photography by © Paul Rivera

In order to take full advantage of the views available from the site, a reverse floor plan was selected with living, dining and kitchen above and two sleeping rooms below that both face onto private courtyard garden spaces. Several species of wood were used throughout the home both inside and out. Western Red Cedar was used for the exterior in a true board and batten system. Bright sunlit volumes are framed with contrasting geometrically tapered, dark metal windows.  Simple, honest, natural materials were used throughout the home.  The structure is the finish.

Photography by © Paul Rivera

Bi-folding doors are located in the sleeping rooms and facing onto the view deck from the dining area in order to maximize the connection to the outdoors and extending the home’s small footprint to the exterior garden spaces. A double-sided low fireplace connects and organizes the split-level dining area and living space while also allowing for warmth while enjoying cool sea breezes.

Ground Level Plan

A custom entry gate, low concrete walls, and water feature are placed to create a boundary to the busy street.  The subtle hush of the water further buffers the home from street noise and reinforces the quiet, contemplative quality of the garden spaces. Though fitted into a relatively dense neighborhood, the home maintains privacy and achieves an openness that takes full advantage of its coastal climate and location.

Photography by © Paul Rivera

Project Info:
Architects: Brett Farrow Architect
Location: Encinitas, United States
Lead Architect: Brett Farrow
Area: 1665.0 m2
Project Year: 2017
Photographs: Paul Rivera
Manufacturers: Duravit, Western Window Systems, western red cedar, Heath Ceramics
Project Name: Cornish House