Split Difference
The Trails at Brightwater, Huntington Beach, Calif.
Thanks to designs like this one,we’re starting to see viable alternatives to monster garage–dominated front façades. The beach cottage, on a diminutive 45-foot-by-62-foot lot, was designed by the crafty team at Bassenian/Lagoni Architects, who divided the auto storage into split–single-car garages to minimize the impact on the streetscape. Taking focus away from the garages allows the home’s unique entryway to command center stage.
The exterior material mix is also a breath of fresh air, reinforcing the model’s quaint character. Neutral-toned stucco is the primary cladding, with matching wood accents on the roof brackets and gable ends, and red brick to further enhance the entry.
Through the main portal, a brick-paved passageway leads to a sunny, private center courtyard that’s the hub of the house. The 1,755-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath floor plan revolves around this space, with glass doors on three sides that flood the first-floor living areas with natural light.
A real perk for a house this size is the detached bonus space that has a window to the street and connects to the courtyard via French doors. This type of flex room is a dream for buyers, who can customize it as a home office, craft area, or workout room.
Inside, the laid-back plan features a spacious kitchen with a generous center island, a wide-open family room, and a first-floor powder room. The second-floor master suite boasts amenities usually reserved for larger houses, including a vaulted, beamed ceiling and a walk-in closet. Another surprise is the covered balcony off the hallway, overlooking the courtyard, which provides a cozy perch in this smart seaside retreat.—Carolyn Weber
Award: Grand for best single-family detached home—less than 3,200 square feet (compact lot); Builder/Developer: Hearthside Homes, Irvine, Calif.; Architect: Bassenian/Lagoni Architects, Newport Beach, Calif.; Land planner: FORMA Design, Costa Mesa, Calif.
