Surf House / Feldman Architecture

Architect: Feldman Architecture
Area: 4,490 ft²
Year: 2019
Photography: Joe Fletcher
Lead Architects: Chris Kurrle, Jonathan Feldman, Matt Lindsay
Structural Engineer: Strandberg, Strandberg Engineering
Design Team: Caroline Arpa, Humbeen Geo, Leila Bijan Kuehr, Jessica Gill
Landscape Architect: Ground Studio Landscape Architecture
Interior Design: Commune Design
Lighting Consultant: Tucci Lighting
Contractor: RJL Construction
Art Curation: Allison Harding Art Curation
Sawyer: Arborica
City: Santa Cruz
Country: United States

Surf House, designed by Feldman Architecture in Santa Cruz, California, exemplifies a seamless integration of sophisticated bohemian style with the local coastal environment. Completed in 2019, this family home was developed with a deep understanding of the site’s nuances, as the architects worked closely with clients familiar with the area. The project addresses stringent geologic and coastal regulations and maintains harmony with the eclectic beachy surroundings. The use of locally sourced Monterey Cypress left to weather naturally, connects the home to its beachside setting. The design emphasizes fluid indoor-outdoor transitions, balancing high design with the casual, laid-back lifestyle characteristic of California’s coast.

The design had to meet a 100-year geologic setback requirement and adhere to the regulations of the California Coastal Commission, making a site-sensitive approach crucial. The home was strategically positioned to serve as a windbreak, with the rear yard and deck oriented to maximize ocean views. Meanwhile, the entry and front courtyard are tucked behind two distinct structures—a customized surfboard storage unit and a garage—ensuring that these spaces capture sunlight throughout the year, creating a warm, light-filled environment that remains shielded from coastal winds.

Collaboration with sawyer Evan Shively of Arborica, known for reclaiming and repurposing Native Californian timber, brought locally sourced Monterey Cypress into the project. This robust wood, naturally suited to the coastal climate, was left unfinished to weather into a sophisticated grey, becoming a central feature of the home’s design. The exterior’s board and batten slats establish a cohesive material palette that continues inside the home. Waste reduction was prioritized by integrating every grade of wood into the project.

The public spaces within Surf House emphasize a strong connection between indoor and outdoor environments. The design facilitates a seamless flow from the intimate front courtyard through the open and welcoming great room and kitchen, leading to the back patio with expansive ocean views. Large sliding doors enhance this connection, allowing the living area to extend onto the spacious deck, which includes an in-ground hot tub and outdoor kitchen, perfect for hosting guests.

As the home transitions from public to private spaces on the upper floor, the material palette shifts, with Monterey Cypress giving way to plaster. This transition draws attention to the carefully designed architectural details and introduces framed views of the surrounding landscape through strategically placed windows. The master bedroom, with its floor-to-ceiling glass walls, offers uninterrupted views of the waves and opens onto a private balcony, providing a peaceful retreat.

With interiors by Commune Design and landscaping by Ground Studio, Surf House achieves a delicate balance between high design and the casual ease of Californian living, creating a harmonious and inviting atmosphere that resonates with its stunning natural surroundings.