Bridge_House_Hero@2x-Main entrance with Accessory in background

BRIDGE HOUSE

Design Challenge

How did the architects transform two single family homes on separate lots into a seamless multi-generational complex?

Design Solution

Our client gave us a very specific set of criteria for what they wanted, and then handed over a 1970’s home and an adjacent property to work with. The existing residence was a shingle sided home with multiple levels and little cohesion. The adjacent property had a two story home on it and a garage on the alley street below. The first task was to raise the adjacent structures, merge the lots and create a family compound. In Hermosa Beach, most people don’t have a “yard” but this was very important to the client and was a driving factor for the site planning effort. With over 20 feet of elevation change from the entry street to the alley street below, we had to be creative. The existing residence went through a full gut and remodel of most floors including enclosing a main level deck space, adding a rooftop sunset deck, expanding the kids bedrooms, adding a guest room and adding an interconnecting deck that wraps the main floor living space connecting it to the bocce court in the front yard and the new structure on the adjacent lot. Tucked between the existing master suite and the new structure is a large jacuzzi positioned for privacy. The new structure is three-stories with a studio at the bottom level originally designed for the owner's father, a great room at the second level which connects to the yard space and a third floor lounge and a workout room which connects to the main level of the existing residence.

Bridge House-2-Yard from Above
Bridge House-3-Front entrace from street

Project Data

LOT SIZE
5,404 SF
PROJECT SIZE
4,449 SF
CONSTRUCTION COST
Withheld
LOCATION
Hermosa Beach, CA
PRINCIPAL
Clay Aurell, AIA
PROJECT MANAGER
Glen Deisler
DESIGN TEAM
Clay Aurell, AIA | Josh Blumer, AIA | Glen Deisler
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Beach House Design and Development
Civil Engineer
Ashley Vance Engineering, Inc.
Structural Engineer
Ashley Vance Engineering, Inc.
Landscape Architect
Rainville Design Studio
Electrical Engineer
JMPE Electrical Engineers
Soils Engineer
Grover Hollingsworth and Associates, Inc.
Bridge House-4-Upper Level Deck and Main Living
Bridge House-5-Main Residence from Yard
Bridge House-6 View of yard from Accessory unit Living Room
Bridge House-6b-Accessory Living Room
Bridge House-7-Front of Accessory Structure from Yard
Bridge House-8-Jacuzzi from above
Bridge House-9-Doors leading to patio from Master Suite
Bridge House-10-Master Bedroom
Bridge House-11-Master Bedroom bed
Bridge House-12-Master Bathroom
Bridge House-13-Black and White Powder Room
Bridge House-14-Black and White Powder Room Mirror
Bridge House-15-Black and White Powder Room Tile
Bridge House-17- Guest Bathroom Sink and Clawfoot Tub
Bridge House-18-Main Residence Kitchen
Bridge House-19-Main Residence Kitchen Shelving
Bridge House-20-Main Residence Front Entrance
Bridge House-21-Main Residence Living Area
Bridge House-21b-Main Residence Living from Stair
Bridge House-22-Front of custom barn style door
Bridge House-23-Jack and Jill Bathroom
Bridge House-24-Accessory Unit Living, Kitchen and Stairs
Bridge House-25-Accessory Unit Wine Storage
Bridge House-26-Main Residence Custom Stairs
Bridge House-27-Bench in yard
Bridge House-28-Accessory structure and Main Residence from deck
Bridge House-29-Main Residence from patio