A handy, empty-nester couple, nearing retirement, sold their mansion, and purchased a fixer-upper on a sunlit hillside that features the spectacular ocean view of the Channel Islands. ENRarchitects was hired to assist with making minor enhancements to the plan, integrating the lower level parking court, and adding a patio deck. The owner, a retiring engineer, took on the responsibilities of general contracting during construction. Our collaboration included opening the kitchen to the Living-Dining space, so all can enjoy the ocean view. A balcony was added to second floor Master Study, with a new laundry room below it. Both bathrooms were modestly enlarged to provide more spacious showers. Lastly, the Entry Foyer was opened to ceiling height into the Living Room. In California, ocean views inherently include relentless west sunshine, and formidable interior heat gain. Multiple design studies explored various means to incorporate shading and solar screening measures to permit the view, and to reduce heat gain. Additional studies featured more substantial proposed additions, including a lower level guest suite, and a detached office. A key feature, is the addition of a raised, covered entry porch, where passengers and goods can be offloaded, prior to parking on the lower level. The new porch also provides a secondary transition around the structure to the ocean view, split-level patio. A 2nd phase included the suggestion of rebuilding the lower covered parking to include a roof deck, rooftop guest suite, and solar electricity, which was successfully completed. The property is now mildly reminiscent of the Sea Ranch community. With the blessing of year-round comfortable weather, and ever-changing, dynamic views, the successfully remodeled home takes full advantage for a new generation of colorful living. (photo by owner) "We are so happy with the results, and proud you’d include our place in your client list. We are extremely happy and will always tout your skills." -Bill & Janice, Camarillo

This classic cottage home plan offers maximum comfort for its economic design and narrow lot width. A cozy front porch invites relaxation, while twin dormers and a gabled garage provide substantial curb appeal. The foyer features a generous coat closet and a niche for displaying collectibles. The great room gains drama from two clerestory dormers and a balcony that overlooks the room from the second floor. With plenty of space for more than one cook, the kitchen services both dining room and great room with ease. Topped by an elegant tray ceiling, the home plan's first floor master suite enjoys a private bath and walk-in closet, while the upstairs bedrooms and bonus room share a hall bath with linen closet.

This classic cottage home plan offers maximum comfort for its economic design and narrow lot width. A cozy front porch invites relaxation, while twin dormers and a gabled garage provide substantial curb appeal. The foyer features a generous coat closet and a niche for displaying collectibles. The great room gains drama from two clerestory dormers and a balcony that overlooks the room from the second floor. With plenty of space for more than one cook, the kitchen services both dining room and great room with ease. Topped by an elegant tray ceiling, the home plan's first floor master suite enjoys a private bath and walk-in closet, while the upstairs bedrooms and bonus room share a hall bath with linen closet.

This classic cottage home plan offers maximum comfort for its economic design and narrow lot width. A cozy front porch invites relaxation, while twin dormers and a gabled garage provide substantial curb appeal. The foyer features a generous coat closet and a niche for displaying collectibles. The great room gains drama from two clerestory dormers and a balcony that overlooks the room from the second floor. With plenty of space for more than one cook, the kitchen services both dining room and great room with ease. Topped by an elegant tray ceiling, the home plan's first floor master suite enjoys a private bath and walk-in closet, while the upstairs bedrooms and bonus room share a hall bath with linen closet.

This classic cottage home plan offers maximum comfort for its economic design and narrow lot width. A cozy front porch invites relaxation, while twin dormers and a gabled garage provide substantial curb appeal. The foyer features a generous coat closet and a niche for displaying collectibles. The great room gains drama from two clerestory dormers and a balcony that overlooks the room from the second floor. With plenty of space for more than one cook, the kitchen services both dining room and great room with ease. Topped by an elegant tray ceiling, the home plan's first floor master suite enjoys a private bath and walk-in closet, while the upstairs bedrooms and bonus room share a hall bath with linen closet.

This classic cottage home plan offers maximum comfort for its economic design and narrow lot width. A cozy front porch invites relaxation, while twin dormers and a gabled garage provide substantial curb appeal. The foyer features a generous coat closet and a niche for displaying collectibles. The great room gains drama from two clerestory dormers and a balcony that overlooks the room from the second floor. With plenty of space for more than one cook, the kitchen services both dining room and great room with ease. Topped by an elegant tray ceiling, the home plan's first floor master suite enjoys a private bath and walk-in closet, while the upstairs bedrooms and bonus room share a hall bath with linen closet.

This classic cottage home plan offers maximum comfort for its economic design and narrow lot width. A cozy front porch invites relaxation, while twin dormers and a gabled garage provide substantial curb appeal. The foyer features a generous coat closet and a niche for displaying collectibles. The great room gains drama from two clerestory dormers and a balcony that overlooks the room from the second floor. With plenty of space for more than one cook, the kitchen services both dining room and great room with ease. Topped by an elegant tray ceiling, the home plan's first floor master suite enjoys a private bath and walk-in closet, while the upstairs bedrooms and bonus room share a hall bath with linen closet.

This classic cottage home plan offers maximum comfort for its economic design and narrow lot width. A cozy front porch invites relaxation, while twin dormers and a gabled garage provide substantial curb appeal. The foyer features a generous coat closet and a niche for displaying collectibles. The great room gains drama from two clerestory dormers and a balcony that overlooks the room from the second floor. With plenty of space for more than one cook, the kitchen services both dining room and great room with ease. Topped by an elegant tray ceiling, the home plan's first floor master suite enjoys a private bath and walk-in closet, while the upstairs bedrooms and bonus room share a hall bath with linen closet.

This classic cottage home plan offers maximum comfort for its economic design and narrow lot width. A cozy front porch invites relaxation, while twin dormers and a gabled garage provide substantial curb appeal. The foyer features a generous coat closet and a niche for displaying collectibles. The great room gains drama from two clerestory dormers and a balcony that overlooks the room from the second floor. With plenty of space for more than one cook, the kitchen services both dining room and great room with ease. Topped by an elegant tray ceiling, the home plan's first floor master suite enjoys a private bath and walk-in closet, while the upstairs bedrooms and bonus room share a hall bath with linen closet.

This classic cottage home plan offers maximum comfort for its economic design and narrow lot width. A cozy front porch invites relaxation, while twin dormers and a gabled garage provide substantial curb appeal. The foyer features a generous coat closet and a niche for displaying collectibles. The great room gains drama from two clerestory dormers and a balcony that overlooks the room from the second floor. With plenty of space for more than one cook, the kitchen services both dining room and great room with ease. Topped by an elegant tray ceiling, the home plan's first floor master suite enjoys a private bath and walk-in closet, while the upstairs bedrooms and bonus room share a hall bath with linen closet.

This classic cottage home plan offers maximum comfort for its economic design and narrow lot width. A cozy front porch invites relaxation, while twin dormers and a gabled garage provide substantial curb appeal. The foyer features a generous coat closet and a niche for displaying collectibles. The great room gains drama from two clerestory dormers and a balcony that overlooks the room from the second floor. With plenty of space for more than one cook, the kitchen services both dining room and great room with ease. Topped by an elegant tray ceiling, the home plan's first floor master suite enjoys a private bath and walk-in closet, while the upstairs bedrooms and bonus room share a hall bath with linen closet.

Key Sustainable Design Features: - Photovoltaic Solar panels substantially reduce the house’s energy needs and the owners dependence on the energy grid. - Timber Frame Construction, means less energy loss and a warmer house. - Solar gains, thereby reducing the need for energy needed to heat the house. - Superior levels of insulation using cellulose recycled newspaper insulation reduce energy required to heat the house. Cellulose also has an increased density which holds the heat better. - High performance glazing not only reduces energy loss, but also reduces the cold radiant feel of windows. - A wood burning stove providing space heating and additional water heating. Wood is a renewable source and is carbon neutral. - The use of vegetation and landscaping to protect the house against dominant prevailing winds.

This classic cottage home plan offers maximum comfort for its economic design and narrow lot width. A cozy front porch invites relaxation, while twin dormers and a gabled garage provide substantial curb appeal. The foyer features a generous coat closet and a niche for displaying collectibles. The great room gains drama from two clerestory dormers and a balcony that overlooks the room from the second floor. With plenty of space for more than one cook, the kitchen services both dining room and great room with ease. Topped by an elegant tray ceiling, the home plan's first floor master suite enjoys a private bath and walk-in closet, while the upstairs bedrooms and bonus room share a hall bath with linen closet.

This classic cottage home plan offers maximum comfort for its economic design and narrow lot width. A cozy front porch invites relaxation, while twin dormers and a gabled garage provide substantial curb appeal. The foyer features a generous coat closet and a niche for displaying collectibles. The great room gains drama from two clerestory dormers and a balcony that overlooks the room from the second floor. With plenty of space for more than one cook, the kitchen services both dining room and great room with ease. Topped by an elegant tray ceiling, the home plan's first floor master suite enjoys a private bath and walk-in closet, while the upstairs bedrooms and bonus room share a hall bath with linen closet.

This classic cottage home plan offers maximum comfort for its economic design and narrow lot width. A cozy front porch invites relaxation, while twin dormers and a gabled garage provide substantial curb appeal. The foyer features a generous coat closet and a niche for displaying collectibles. The great room gains drama from two clerestory dormers and a balcony that overlooks the room from the second floor. With plenty of space for more than one cook, the kitchen services both dining room and great room with ease. Topped by an elegant tray ceiling, the home plan's first floor master suite enjoys a private bath and walk-in closet, while the upstairs bedrooms and bonus room share a hall bath with linen closet.

This classic cottage home plan offers maximum comfort for its economic design and narrow lot width. A cozy front porch invites relaxation, while twin dormers and a gabled garage provide substantial curb appeal. The foyer features a generous coat closet and a niche for displaying collectibles. The great room gains drama from two clerestory dormers and a balcony that overlooks the room from the second floor. With plenty of space for more than one cook, the kitchen services both dining room and great room with ease. Topped by an elegant tray ceiling, the home plan's first floor master suite enjoys a private bath and walk-in closet, while the upstairs bedrooms and bonus room share a hall bath with linen closet.

A handy, empty-nester couple, nearing retirement, sold their mansion, and purchased a fixer-upper on a sunlit hillside that features the spectacular ocean view of the Channel Islands. ENRarchitects was hired to assist with making minor enhancements to the plan, integrating the lower level parking court, and adding a patio deck. The owner, a retiring engineer, took on the responsibilities of general contracting during construction. Our collaboration included opening the kitchen to the Living-Dining space, so all can enjoy the ocean view. A balcony was added to second floor Master Study, with a new laundry room below it. Both bathrooms were modestly enlarged to provide more spacious showers. Lastly, the Entry Foyer was opened to ceiling height into the Living Room. In California, ocean views inherently include relentless west sunshine, and formidable interior heat gain. Multiple design studies explored various means to incorporate shading and solar screening measures to permit the view, and to reduce heat gain. Additional studies featured more substantial proposed additions, including a lower level guest suite, and a detached office. A key feature, is the addition of a raised, covered entry porch, where passengers and goods can be offloaded, prior to parking on the lower level. The new porch also provides a secondary transition around the structure to the ocean view, split-level patio. A 2nd phase included the suggestion of rebuilding the lower covered parking to include a roof deck, rooftop guest suite, and solar electricity, which was successfully completed. The property is now mildly reminiscent of the Sea Ranch community. With the blessing of year-round comfortable weather, and ever-changing, dynamic views, the successfully remodeled home takes full advantage for a new generation of colorful living. (photo by owner) "We are so happy with the results, and proud you’d include our place in your client list. We are extremely happy and will always tout your skills." -Bill & Janice, Camarillo

This classic cottage home plan offers maximum comfort for its economic design and narrow lot width. A cozy front porch invites relaxation, while twin dormers and a gabled garage provide substantial curb appeal. The foyer features a generous coat closet and a niche for displaying collectibles. The great room gains drama from two clerestory dormers and a balcony that overlooks the room from the second floor. With plenty of space for more than one cook, the kitchen services both dining room and great room with ease. Topped by an elegant tray ceiling, the home plan's first floor master suite enjoys a private bath and walk-in closet, while the upstairs bedrooms and bonus room share a hall bath with linen closet.

This classic cottage home plan offers maximum comfort for its economic design and narrow lot width. A cozy front porch invites relaxation, while twin dormers and a gabled garage provide substantial curb appeal. The foyer features a generous coat closet and a niche for displaying collectibles. The great room gains drama from two clerestory dormers and a balcony that overlooks the room from the second floor. With plenty of space for more than one cook, the kitchen services both dining room and great room with ease. Topped by an elegant tray ceiling, the home plan's first floor master suite enjoys a private bath and walk-in closet, while the upstairs bedrooms and bonus room share a hall bath with linen closet.