This minimalist beach house in California is the brainchild of American architect Dan Brunn. The house, located just on the waterfront of Venice Beach, is an ode to raw concrete and pared-down volumes, yet was born of pragmatism and functionality; Positively Negative, as the house is named, was created as a direct response to ‘the harsh marine weather and densely packed environment of its location,’ says the architect.
Featuring a narrow frontage and attempting to address a healthy balance between natural light, privacy and outdoor space, the house design was conceived as a series of stacked cubes. The composition is quite complex but also feels at home within Los Angeles-based Brunn’s portfolio – the architect is well known for his clean, minimalist, sculptural work.
The interior follows the same aesthetic, with airy, sleek rooms that feature large windows towards the ocean. The striking, calming, long views enrich the interior, while the openings also ensure all internal areas as awash with natural light.
‘Fundamental to Positively Negative’s design principle is the choreography of circulation, where the spatial and structural arrangement of the home allows for a vibrantly navigated pace as you move throughout, notably punctuated by the central staircase atrium whose reiterated shape forms a sequence of right turns, descending each level,’ says the architect.
Open, generous spaces are matched by naked concrete, natural materials and textured surfaces, which make for a warm and stylish, contemporary home. Meanwhile, a solar energy system on the roof, along with passive cooling and radiant floor heating, not only secure a pleasant atmosphere for the residents but also make this house environmentally friendly. §
