A Unique Voice in the Theatre of the Street

The Twin Shotgun Houses are situated on two narrow lots that slope down from Third Street toward the ocean. In order to maximize the lot size, these mirrored houses were designed as linear volumes, ‘shotgun’ in shape.

The rear elevation of the houses is composed of terracing decks that project outward from each floor towards the ocean. Each deck is cantilevered over the level below it, providing shade from the southwest exposure and protecting the flush frame wood and glass walls from the sun. Connecting each deck level are steel stairs cantilevered from the exterior angled walls of each house.

An existing palm tree has been transplanted front and center to become an obelisk, marking the axial alignment of the site with the courtyard apartment building across the street. The front bay window of each house is distinct; each is a playfully curved sculptural form. These "seashell masks" provide each house with its own identifying sign - a white, abstract folly imbued with form by light and shadow. These forms, together with the central palm tree, play an active role in the theater of the street and the Ocean Park neighborhood.

The side elevations reflect the dynamics of the interior spaces and provide adjacent neighbors with a play of stepped and faceted geometric forms.

The composition of the interiors provides a sense of spaciousness despite the narrow shotgun form of the houses. Private bedrooms are sequestered on the ground floor while the living spaces above open to natural daylight, ocean views and breezes and outdoor terraced decks.

Natural light is the primary element of the interiors. Light enters through a variety of apertures. Facing the linear garden courtyard, each house has a three story wall of translucent laminated glass panels set into a wood framework to ensure privacy between the two houses. The interior stair, composed of an open steel structure and rail with wood tread, is silhouetted against the translucent glass wall.