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This ocean view home in the exclusive gated community of Serra Retreat is a Malibu icon occupied by my client, a film and television actor. This is the fourth project we have designed for him over the past ten years, and as his lifestyle has changed and matured, so have his architectural tastes and needs. My client handed SJD what seemed like an impossible assignment:  ensure utmost privacy but maximize the tremendous views the location would afford.

We worked in collaboration with interior designer Lory Johansson - Richard Branson's designer for Necker Island - and defined the home’s identity as a soft contemporary beach house with sophisticated touches.  With our mission and identity clear, we first focused on structure and framing.  We tore the existing home down to the studs, and in placing the new living areas paid careful attention to angles and positioning to maximize view while ensuring privacy.  We created a large outdoor deck area, complete with fire pit and other entertaining details, using walls/doors of glass to allow indoor/outdoor living. To provide seclusion to the area, we added overhead trellises and well placed landscaping—each helping to achieve the goal without confining the resident.  Motorized shades were placed throughout and also worked to reduce the significant heat loads on the home.

My client required a screening room, and having done several for him previously, we sought to create one unique to this home.  In color and texture, we hoped to evoke the sense of being wrapped in a towel after a day at the beach. The screening room is placed in back of the home, and its walls are lined in cashmere.