2Inns / Sebastian Mariscal Studio

Architect: Sebastian Mariscal Studio
Location: La Jolla, California, Mexico
Designer & Builder: Sebastian Mariscal Studio
Design Team: Dominique Houriet & Sebastian Mariscal
Structural Engineering: Omar Mobayed
Area: 412.5 sqm each one
Project year: 2006
Photographs: Hisao Suzuki

Capturing the beautiful weather of Southern California and the unobstructed ocean views of La Jolla, 2inns explore the spatial qualities of a continuous interior-exterior space in the private realms of two identical adjacent houses.

Though the private and public domain is clearly defined, the distinct presence of the two volumes is meant to encourage a sentient response to the natural and built environment of the neighborhood.

Stepped back from the street, the houses carve into the existing topography. The exposed C.I.P. concrete sub-level forms the Base that extends from the front lawn to the hil l in the back, opening a dramatic ‘light well’ in the work/play area. Elevated from the street, the Main level is enclosed by twenty-f ive ful l height glass panels, which slide away on an automated track, creating a continuous open plane that connects the back garden to the ocean views. This feature transforms the kitchen, living and dining areas into a complete exterior space whi le maintaining privacy from the street. A suspended IPE wood clad top level performs as the Canopy. This wood ‘jewel box’ houses the sleeping quarters and frames the water views whi le providing shade to the space below.

The strong relationship to the terrain and the views from the site allows 2inns to remain anchored whi le projecting outward. Formally, the spatial arrangement is defined by the material ity of each volume and the use of negative space. The public realm transforms into a void that slices the buildings horizontal ly, further accentuating the concrete and wood-clad masses of the remaining spaces.