This 5,900 SF single-family structure sits on a 60 x 160 foot corner lot in the eastern part of Manhattan Beach. The property has distant views of the Hollywood Hills and the San Gabriel Mountains but its primary asset is its size, which allowed for a large back yard and pool. The client’s family includes very active young children so play space and outdoor living were put at a premium. A large opening into the back yard was at the top of their wish list so we utilized a steel beam to span the 38 foot wide sliding door between the living room, kitchen and yard.  A fire pit and outdoor kitchen sit under a large overhang forming an outdoor room adjacent to the pool.

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The front entry to the home sits at the corner of two streets behind a louvered yard wall, which provides a private and secure entry courtyard. The entry itself is a dramatic, naturally lit, two-story volume providing views into the court and large walls for the display of art. A bedroom level balcony and family room overlook the foyer, and overhead a linear skylight spanning a central stair and circulation spine provides constant natural light throughout the day. The primary living spaces on the entry and yard level are all open to each other and combine to form a great room looking out into the rear yard. A play space off the kitchen is separated from the kitchen and living room by retractable glass doors, which allows the play room clutter to be closed off from the rest of the house at the end of the day. A basement level “man cave” contains a gym, a billiards area, a home theater, and a full-size bar. 

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Photography:  Wm MacCollum