Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Gravity-Defying Beach House With Nods to the 1970s
An Oregon getaway fits its coastal setting with vintage furnishings, natural colors and materials, and a laid-back vibe
A Minnesota couple who dreamed of owning a getaway place on the Oregon coast had homed in on a parcel of land in the small town of Manzanita. But before they sealed the deal, they looked to Rehkamp Larson Architects for advice. The lot was extremely steep and had tight setbacks, and the homeowners association had strict building height regulations to boot. Would building even be possible?
Architects Ryan Bicek and Mark Larson, who had previously worked with the clients on their primary home, were confident that it could be done. And despite confronting challenges both anticipated and unanticipated, they not only designed a home that captures the area’s wild beauty, but also turned the steepness of the site into an advantage. Read on to discover how.
Architects Ryan Bicek and Mark Larson, who had previously worked with the clients on their primary home, were confident that it could be done. And despite confronting challenges both anticipated and unanticipated, they not only designed a home that captures the area’s wild beauty, but also turned the steepness of the site into an advantage. Read on to discover how.
The house’s shed roofline follows the downward slope of the land versus tipping up on the “view” side of the house, which would be more typical. That angle protects the home against the strong ocean winds, Bicek says, and also allowed for clerestory windows along the opposite side. Sun through those windows naturally illuminates the interior of the home, lowering energy use. They offer bonus views too.
“As you’re standing in the house, you can view up through those clerestory windows and see part of the top of the hill and pine trees,” Bicek says.
The home’s shingled roof and siding are cedar. The wood was treated with a product that allows it to withstand the elements but turn gray over time, which will further blend the structure into the landscape.
“As you’re standing in the house, you can view up through those clerestory windows and see part of the top of the hill and pine trees,” Bicek says.
The home’s shingled roof and siding are cedar. The wood was treated with a product that allows it to withstand the elements but turn gray over time, which will further blend the structure into the landscape.
The previous photo and this view looking up toward the garage across a large exposed-concrete retaining wall hint at the wrangling and feats of engineering required to build on the site.
There were seismic restrictions, environmental considerations and complex water management issues that required hiring a civil and a structural engineer. There were plan reviews by the homeowners association. And then there was all of the concrete. Before they could build any footings, 2-to-3-foot-wide concrete piers 20 feet deep had to stabilize the site.
“We had been told what they thought [would be] the extent of how much concrete and how much work it would take to get the foundation done,” Bicek says. “And then we had it engineered and we had it actually priced by the contractors and the subcontractors, and it was substantially more work than anticipated. And so that took a long time to build, just to get the concrete work done even.”
There were COVID- and weather-related construction delays too. In the end, the project would take more than four years to complete.
There were seismic restrictions, environmental considerations and complex water management issues that required hiring a civil and a structural engineer. There were plan reviews by the homeowners association. And then there was all of the concrete. Before they could build any footings, 2-to-3-foot-wide concrete piers 20 feet deep had to stabilize the site.
“We had been told what they thought [would be] the extent of how much concrete and how much work it would take to get the foundation done,” Bicek says. “And then we had it engineered and we had it actually priced by the contractors and the subcontractors, and it was substantially more work than anticipated. And so that took a long time to build, just to get the concrete work done even.”
There were COVID- and weather-related construction delays too. In the end, the project would take more than four years to complete.
This little mudroom under the garage is a catchall for beach gear and provides some shelter from the region’s frequent rain.
Your Guide to a Smooth-Running Construction Project
Your Guide to a Smooth-Running Construction Project
Fieldstone selected by the landscape designer lies between that niche and the front entrance to the house, seen here. Plants will grow around the stones, mimicking the local rocky terrain.
One enters the home on the main floor via this entry hall. It has white oak coat closets and a tiled floor that’s softened by a vintage runner.
Houzz Tour: Modern Surf House Full of California Craftsmanship
Houzz Tour: Modern Surf House Full of California Craftsmanship
The tile floor flows into this little powder room. Its countertop echoes the exposed concrete on the home’s exterior, and the zellige tile backsplash lends a handmade look.
Most of the interior finishes and furnishings were selected by Minnesota-based designer Anne McDonald, whom the owners brought to the project. The architects worked closely with McDonald to achieve the home’s casual and family-friendly — but carefully considered — look and feel.
Key Measurements to Help You Design a Powder Room
Most of the interior finishes and furnishings were selected by Minnesota-based designer Anne McDonald, whom the owners brought to the project. The architects worked closely with McDonald to achieve the home’s casual and family-friendly — but carefully considered — look and feel.
Key Measurements to Help You Design a Powder Room
Photo by Haris Kenjar
This dining and cooking area occupies one end of the upper level. If you look closely, you can see at the back left corner the entrance to a hardworking pantry with a coffee station.
The home’s coastal setting inspired the soft color palette as well as the simple material choices, which include a variety of wood types, plaster, woven fibers, concrete and tile. Vintage midcentury and postmodern furniture pieces reflect the owners’ interests and taste.
“The ’60s and ’70s vibe is very much them. And [the house] has a very beachy feel,” Bicek says. “It feels like you can just walk in, especially [because] the tile and the floors aren’t overly finished, so you don’t feel like you’re going to damage any of the finishes if you’re walking in there barefoot with sand on your feet.”
The flooring and kitchen cabinetry are white oak, whereas the ceiling is Western hemlock, a less expensive species of wood that’s native to Oregon.
This dining and cooking area occupies one end of the upper level. If you look closely, you can see at the back left corner the entrance to a hardworking pantry with a coffee station.
The home’s coastal setting inspired the soft color palette as well as the simple material choices, which include a variety of wood types, plaster, woven fibers, concrete and tile. Vintage midcentury and postmodern furniture pieces reflect the owners’ interests and taste.
“The ’60s and ’70s vibe is very much them. And [the house] has a very beachy feel,” Bicek says. “It feels like you can just walk in, especially [because] the tile and the floors aren’t overly finished, so you don’t feel like you’re going to damage any of the finishes if you’re walking in there barefoot with sand on your feet.”
The flooring and kitchen cabinetry are white oak, whereas the ceiling is Western hemlock, a less expensive species of wood that’s native to Oregon.
Photo by Haris Kenjar
In the kitchen, a white-gray zellige tile coordinates with concrete countertops. Like the concrete in the powder room, the counters look like they were poured onsite but were actually made offsite based on very careful measurements.
An architectural detail to notice here and in many of the vaulted spaces is a subtle trim band that follows the top of the cabinetry and windows, separating the lower portion of the room from the ceiling.
“It looks like a simple thing, but to get all that stuff to work out is quite a feat for the cabinetmaker and builder and us,” Bicek says.
In this photo, you can also glimpse the view through the clerestory windows.
In the kitchen, a white-gray zellige tile coordinates with concrete countertops. Like the concrete in the powder room, the counters look like they were poured onsite but were actually made offsite based on very careful measurements.
An architectural detail to notice here and in many of the vaulted spaces is a subtle trim band that follows the top of the cabinetry and windows, separating the lower portion of the room from the ceiling.
“It looks like a simple thing, but to get all that stuff to work out is quite a feat for the cabinetmaker and builder and us,” Bicek says.
In this photo, you can also glimpse the view through the clerestory windows.
The doors in the first kitchen photo lead to a small ipe deck that looks made for happy hour on a warm summer night. The window you see here is on the far left in the next photo.
Inside is a comfy lounge chair and desk for more contemplative pursuits — including taking in the spectacular view.
“When you’re in the house, it feels like you’re almost right at the ocean,” Bicek says. “And with the windows open, you can even hear the waves crashing.”
The windows are from the Marvin Elevate collection, with fiberglass on the outside and wood on the inside, to stand up to the harsh coastal climate.
Shop for armchairs and accent chairs
“When you’re in the house, it feels like you’re almost right at the ocean,” Bicek says. “And with the windows open, you can even hear the waves crashing.”
The windows are from the Marvin Elevate collection, with fiberglass on the outside and wood on the inside, to stand up to the harsh coastal climate.
Shop for armchairs and accent chairs
Photo by Haris Kenjar
The kitchen, dining area and bump-out combine with this lounge area to create a large open-format space. McDonald outfitted it with a blend of contemporary and vintage art, lighting and furniture, including a pair of low-slung midcentury Brazilian leather armchairs.
The fireplace’s surround and hearth are concrete, and the surrounding wall is covered in Venetian plaster. Above the steel-lined firewood box are shelves holding the clients’ record player and record collection. Finding a good spot for them was one of the music-loving homeowners’ specific requests, Bicek says.
Shop for living room furniture
The kitchen, dining area and bump-out combine with this lounge area to create a large open-format space. McDonald outfitted it with a blend of contemporary and vintage art, lighting and furniture, including a pair of low-slung midcentury Brazilian leather armchairs.
The fireplace’s surround and hearth are concrete, and the surrounding wall is covered in Venetian plaster. Above the steel-lined firewood box are shelves holding the clients’ record player and record collection. Finding a good spot for them was one of the music-loving homeowners’ specific requests, Bicek says.
Shop for living room furniture
The pocket door to the left of the fireplace leads to the primary suite, which has simple furnishings and a soft, neutral color scheme that play supporting roles to the glorious whitewater view.
Photo by Haris Kenjar
The adjacent primary bathroom has an undermount soaking tub with a concrete surround also made offsite. The heated floor consists of hexagonal terra-cotta tiles.
The adjacent primary bathroom has an undermount soaking tub with a concrete surround also made offsite. The heated floor consists of hexagonal terra-cotta tiles.
Photo by Haris Kenjar
A barrier-free design allows the tile to flow right into the shower, where it meets a border of zellige wall tile laid in a soldier course.
Shop for your bathroom
A barrier-free design allows the tile to flow right into the shower, where it meets a border of zellige wall tile laid in a soldier course.
Shop for your bathroom
Back in the entry hall, a paneled staircase with a steel handrail leads to the lower level.
A funky smoked-glass chandelier lights the way.
A funky smoked-glass chandelier lights the way.
There, the daughter has her own bedroom.
The boys share a similarly sized room. There’s also a kids’ bathroom that’s not pictured.
A multipurpose room on the same level has built-in shelving, a television and more vintage furniture finds. What you don’t see are columns through the windows supporting the spaces above. Bicek is particularly pleased that cantilevering the living room and deck on the main level preserved the lower-level rooms’ sightlines.
Throughout the home, most of the ceiling lights are pendant, flush-mount or semiflush fixtures or, in some areas, very thin-profile LED lights versus can lights. The larger circles are speakers placed in consultation with an audiovisual specialist.
Throughout the home, most of the ceiling lights are pendant, flush-mount or semiflush fixtures or, in some areas, very thin-profile LED lights versus can lights. The larger circles are speakers placed in consultation with an audiovisual specialist.
A deck with a built-in sofa extends from the lower level. You can make out speakers in the bottom of the main-level deck too.
It’s yet another perfect spot in the home where the family can kick back and watch the sun set over the Pacific.
More on Houzz
Tour more vacation homes
See photos of modern home exteriors
Find a design-build firm
Shop for outdoor furniture
It’s yet another perfect spot in the home where the family can kick back and watch the sun set over the Pacific.
More on Houzz
Tour more vacation homes
See photos of modern home exteriors
Find a design-build firm
Shop for outdoor furniture
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A Minnesota couple and their three children
Location: Manzanita, Oregon
Size: 2,700 square feet (251 square meters); three bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Designers: Ryan Bicek and Mark Larson of Rehkamp Larson Architects (architecture), Anne McDonald Design (interior design) and Coast Gardenscapes (landscape design)
Contractor: Kevin F. Russo
After deciding to move forward with the project and settling on a design scheme, the Minneapolis-based architects flew to Oregon to check out the site with the builder and owners. From there, the process was very collaborative, says Bicek, the project architect. It included several additional site visits and meetings every few weeks.
The final design comprises a 500-square-foot garage that sits at the top of the site and a separate main home built into the hillside below it. The home is barely visible from the street, so instead of seeing into the home, passersby see clear to the ocean beyond it.
Find an architect near you