High above the Pacific, a highly geometric house plays the angles.

The only requirements put forth by the residents of Casa Diagonal during the design stage, says Taal Safdie of the husband-and-wife architectural firm Safdie Rabines, were “to consolidate all of the main living spaces onto one level and to create a simple, restrained design that ultimately paid homage to the site.” The team’s answer was a 3,700-square-foot rectangle bisected by a diagonal wall running the length of the house; the wall pushes right up to the limits of the zoning envelope, allowing the main level to accommodate the owner’s spatial requirements while maximizing the views.

The exterior space created by the diagonal is “captured” as a large outdoor terrace that effectively doubles the size of the interior. A steel stair connecting the two levels is anchored by a two-story stone wall and lit by a large skylight, while concrete floor tiles, plaster, stone, and walnut are used throughout the house to create a serene space that defers to the surrounding context and provides a muted backdrop for the clients’ collection of art.

About the Architect

Established by the husband-and-wife team of Taal Safdie and Ricardo Rabines, Safdie Rabines Architects strives for design solutions that are sensitive to the natural and built context of each project while responding to the specific needs of its clients. The firm’s wide range of experience includes the design of residential and institutional buildings, bridge and infrastructure projects, and large urban master plans.

Safdie Rabines Architects is a full-service firm experienced in all phases of programming, design, and construction. Their award-winning work has been featured in numerous national and international publications. Recently completed projects include UCLA’s Court of Sciences Student Center, the Robert Paine Scripps Forum at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook State Park in Los Angeles, the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge in downtown San Diego, and a private residence overlooking La Jolla Cove. The office is currently working on the Sellwood Bridge in Portland, the Mercado del Barrio in San Diego, and The Quad Student Housing in San Marcos, California, as well as several private residences.

Collaborators

Structural Engineer: Alex Barajas, Envision Engineering, Inc. (619) 275-6726

Landscape Architect: Marcie Harris, Marcie Harris Landscape Architecture (619) 688-0637

General Contractor: Mike Perreault, Beacham Construction (858) 454-2999

Civil Engineer: Antony Christensen, Christensen Engineering & Surveying (858) 271-9901

Geotechnical Engineer: Dan Adler, Christian Wheeler Engineering (619) 550-1700

Decorative Steel: Terry Dixon, Make Fabrication

Custom Fire Pits/Dining Table: Jamie Huffman, Surface Furniture

Bathroom/Kitchen Cabinets: Trueline Woodworks

Oven/Cooktop/Refrigerator: Viking

Countertops: Okite

Concrete Floor Tiles: Sadlerstone