LAKEWOOD RANCH | LONG BEACH, CA
Site:
The site is a residential back yard located in the Lakewood Rancho Estates of Long Beach, California. Cliff May and Chris Choate, noted designer and architect of the contemporary California ranch home, designed the community in the 1950s.
Uses:
The site is used as an outside extension of the house interior. Both active and leisurely activities are equally important site uses.
Concept:
The narrative is based on a gradient of material decomposition - solid and organic materials are gradually interwoven. Language of forms convey a vertical rhythm of mass that is offset by elongated strands of horizontal planes.
Elements:
Included are a patio and lawn for active recreation. Passive recreation is encouraged by creating an alcove with an L-shaped seat wall for conversation, a cor-ten steel partition, and plants. A cantilevered "floating" bench juts out of the existing masonry wall and runs the length of the lawn. Material decomposition is accomplished with the L-shaped seat wall transitioning from solid concrete, to a lattice paver of concrete and grass, finally to a lawn. Gravel acts as a visual elastic and submergence for the varying heights of concrete solids. Plants are arranged in swaths. Golden Bamboo hugs the alcove whilst providing shade and privacy for the space. Birds of Paradise and Dichondra occupy either side of the plinth-like-step to and from the house. Lawn fades into patio and alcove via the concrete and grass lattice pavers.
