riptide

Riptide’s unique location, organization, and circulation lend to an eased sense of natural communal gathering. Positioned on a bluff overlooking the finest portion of the southern Californian coast, the duplex harnesses ever-present sea breezes to cool the house from end to end. By following the curvature of

the humped site, Riptide blends seamlessly into the landscape and draws visitors through the home towards sweeping views of the Pacific. By following circulatory patterns inspired by rip currents, a clear hierarchy of public and private spaces is established. Riptide is also characterized by a central bamboo garden, seen from all areas of the home through sweeping glass windows. This integration of nature helps inhabitants to center themselves and find a balance of community and personal life.

Although the duplex is not a novel idea, the pared-down “semi-duplex” offers a sense of community not typically available in modern housing. By sharing more experiences with one another, individuals are more accepting of differences and can more readily accommodate their fellow neighbors. Riptide serves as a model for the future of communal living- not in reducing privacy, but in reminding humanity of the beauty of our shared existence.