Soquel Creek

Soquel Creek flows south from the Santa Cruz mountains through Capitola to Monterey Bay. Climate change intensified storms coupled with rising ocean levels have put this 1960s era house with an existing lower floor level built at six feet below the FEMA prescribed base flood level of 20? above sea level at risk. Friends asked us to completely renovate and bring into compliance the structure along with sustainability, renewable energy, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems upgrades. Program requirements included two sleeping rooms, an office with a concealed bed, living area and ample private outdoor space. The conceptual solution is driven by the relocation of the lower level to an elevated location that connects the house and garage building upper levels. The new, more efficient design, reduces existing area from 2,250 to 1,835 square feet. The found space under the existing house and new bridge provides 1,340 square feet of covered exterior space.