Set along the sun-washed shoreline of Carpinteria, California, the Oceanfront Bungalow was envisioned as a modern interpretation of the classic Southern California beach house. Designed for long-time clients whose primary residence sits on the East Coast, this new luxury beachfront home was conceived as a gathering place, a retreat large enough for grown children, spouses, and grandchildren, yet intimate in scale and grounded in the region’s architectural legacy.

With the Pacific Ocean unfolding to the south and a protected saltwater estuary framed by the Santa Ynez Mountains to the north, the home’s design responds to a truly rare dual-aspect site. Every line, elevation, and material choice reflects the interplay of sea, sand, and sky while meeting the strict environmental and regulatory criteria that define this fragile stretch of coastline.

The property, trapezoidal in shape and bordered by ecologically sensitive dunes, required a thoughtful and highly technical response. An existing structure on the lot sat below current and projected coastal flood-plain elevations, necessitating complete replacement if significant improvements were to be made. New regulations, addressing 100-year sea-level rise, wildlife protection, HOA-mandated view corridors, and stringent California Coastal Commission regulations shaped the architectural strategy from the earliest sketches.

The design solution raised the entire residence, except for the garage and access points, above projected flood elevations. This elevated platform not only ensures long-term resilience but also enhances panoramic ocean views by lifting the living spaces above the double sea wall. A series of layered stone terraces, planters, and wood decks gently step from the sandy grade to the entry level, integrating the structure into the landscape with sensitivity and craft.

Rooted in the Modern California Bungalow style, the exterior architecture honors local vernacular, deep overhangs, expressive rafter tails, vertical board cladding, while embracing updated forms and fire-resistant materials.

To meet stringent wildfire and coastal durability requirements, the home features:

• Wood-shake–style Ludowici terracotta tiles for a classic, fire-resistant roof profile.
• Fire-resistant siding and trim designed to weather the coastal climate
• Hopes steel windows and doors with tempered glazing for strength, clarity, and enhanced fire safety
• Santa Barbara stone at the chimney, building base, and exterior staircases
• Natural ipe decking chosen for its longevity and textural warmth

These materials—sun-bleached, salt-tolerant, and tactile, craft a palette that is both timeless and distinctly Californian. The massing celebrates the site’s dramatic horizontality, while the rhythmic rooflines echo the gentle rise of the surrounding dunes.

Inside, the home is organized across one continuous raised level, creating seamless circulation between private and communal spaces. The plan divides naturally into three zones:

• Primary wing with the main suite and family bedrooms
• Central pavilion containing the living room, kitchen, and dining area
• Opposite wing housing a family room and study for quiet retreat

The interior architecture draws inspiration from historic beach cottages while embracing a contemporary coastal aesthetic. Quarter-sawn white oak flooring and trim establish a warm, understated foundation throughout, while vertical wood paneling on walls and ceilings introduces subtle texture and a handcrafted sensibility.

Vaulted living spaces with exposed, bracketed beams frame views of the Pacific and the estuary, creating a dramatic interplay between architecture and landscape. Large expanses of steel windows flood each room with shifting coastal light, grounding daily rituals, morning coffee, family dinners, evening firesides, in the rhythms of sea and sky.

In the kitchen, a luminous palette of painted cabinetry, natural stone surfaces, and warm wood detailing blends functionality with refined simplicity. Open connections to the living and dining rooms create a social heart of the home, ideal for large family stays and multigenerational gatherings.

Bedrooms offer calm, retreat-like environments, each oriented to capture unique aspects of the surrounding landscape, ocean horizon lines, dune grasses, and mountain silhouettes. The design fosters a sense of effortless coastal living while maintaining the craftsmanship and durability essential to a luxury oceanfront home.

Though the project was ultimately paused before construction, the Oceanfront Bungalow stands as a fully resolved vision of coastal residential architecture, marrying resilience, beauty, and environmental stewardship on one of California’s most treasured shorelines.

For more information on Charles Hilton Architects’ waterfront homes read our blogs at:
https://www.hiltonarchitects.com/blog/the-allure-of-living-on-a-waterfront-property
https://www.hiltonarchitects.com/blog/potential-challenges-when-purchasing-waterfront-real-estate
https://www.hiltonarchitects.com/blog/regulations-to-consider-when-planning-a-waterfront-home
https://www.hiltonarchitects.com/blog/waterfront-home-design-reconciling-street-amp-waterfront-designs
https://www.hiltonarchitects.com/blog/why-construction-methods-and-materials-matter-for-waterfront-homes
https://www.hiltonarchitects.com/blog/be-aware-of-extras-when-managing-the-cost-of-a-waterfront-build