Windansea Beach Homes
A collection of eight Windansea Beach homes designed by Domusstudio Architecture in San Diego achieved national attention recently for outstanding use of concrete masonry.
Designed by firm Principal John Pyjar, AIA, in homage to Rudolf Schindler, a contemporary of Frank Lloyd Wright, the Domusstudio work received an Award of Merit in the Residential category late last month from the National Concrete Masonry Association.
The detached Windansea Beach homes, each spanning approximately 5,000 square feet, are located on an irregular and curving 40,000-square-
“The use of concrete masonry with horizontal reveals pays homage to the adjacent concrete beach homes built by Rudolf Schindler in 1923 in the historic district of El Pueblo Ribera Court,” said Pyjar in a description of the work. “Concrete masonry provides the required fire walls as the zero lot line facades, while breaking down the scale of the tall windowless walls with anthropomorphic proportions inside and out.”
The La Jolla project of infill homes was among 100 submitted from across the United States for consideration in the annual Design Awards of Excellence competition. The panel of judges comprises members of the American Institute of Architects and the American Society of Landscape Architects. The award was presented in Indianapolis during the NCMA Annual Convention and Tradeshow.
“Careful window placement affords privacy, while accommodating light and air,” according to Pyjar, adding that floor to ceiling glass occurs throughout the home. “Burnished and colored masonry walls, zinc coated roofs, nautical stainless handrails and Kynar finish windows anticipate the harsh ocean environment. Sunlight that reflects off the burnished block wall of the adjacent home provides a soft diffused light quality in the courtyard and in the home. Natural wood siding and ceilings compliment the permanence of the concrete masonry.”
Domusstudio Architecture was joined in the project by HTK Structural Engineers, Jayne Corporation of California, Modern Masonry and RCP Block & Brick, Inc. Owner was Stratos Development.
Domusstudio Architecture is a 22-year-old award-winning architectural design firm specializing in religious facilities, fire stations, educational buildings, senior housing and custom residential projects.
Founded in 1986 as Dominy + Associates, the firm strives to enhance the lives of people through architecture, interiors, planning and service. For more information about its projects and services, call 619-692-9393 or visit www.domusstudio.com.
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