Project: Carbon Beach House
Architecture: Olson Kundig
Lead Architects: Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA
Design Principal: Justin Helmbrecht
Project Manager: Edward Lalonde, Eric Druse and Gavin Argo
Project Architects: Gus Lynch
Location: Malibu, California, United States
Year: 2023
Photo Credits: Joe Fletcher
A Coastal Retreat Designed for Resilience
Located along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, Carbon Beach House by Olson Kundig is a responsive oasis designed to embrace the ocean’s views and sounds. This stunning home sits on a custom-designed, self-draining pier, raised above the sand. It withstands high tides and storm surges while maintaining a seamless connection to the waterfront.
Innovative Design and Thoughtful Layout
The front elevation features an opaque, unembellished concrete wall. This design buffers the home against the noise from the busy six-lane highway. A striking metal entry door breaks this solid façade, revealing a glass and steel staircase crowned by an expansive skylight. This offers views across the width of the house to the water beyond.
The home’s open-concept floor plan is ingeniously organized around an interior courtyard and cactus garden. This design invites natural sunlight to flood the interior spaces. Sliding window walls in the living, dining, and kitchen areas create a flexible space. These walls open entirely to a generous exterior deck and the ocean beyond.
Kinetic, horizontal louvers along the southern, ocean-facing façade allow residents to manage their level of solar exposure. These louvers also provide privacy from the public beach and fully enclose the house when unoccupied.
Harmonizing Industrial and Natural Elements
The main level features a refined, industrial palette of concrete and black steel. Upstairs, this transitions to a warmer, more rustic expression. Wood floors and exposed timber beams characterize the beach-facing primary and secondary bedroom suites. These organic materials, combined with framed view corridors, create a seamless connection between the interior spaces and the surrounding natural landscape.
A Sanctuary Connected to Nature
Carbon Beach House masterfully blends modern design with the rugged beauty of the Malibu coastline. The thoughtful integration of industrial and natural elements ensures the home stands resilient against the elements. Moreover, it offers a serene, luxurious retreat that harmonizes with its environment. Olson Kundig’s design respects and enhances the natural beauty of its location, providing a tranquil sanctuary for its residents.
