Working With Concrete Architecture

800 Park Prospect Building

Sometimes we look to the past as we move forward. A well-documented process of previous work before, during, and after completion, is essential to our planning.
We draw on the incremental forensic approach that was required of our team during the lengthy restoration of the mid-century historic Park Prospect Building in La Jolla.
We turn to challenging and demanding examples of cast-in-place concrete and materials used on previous projects.
We call on our past and present community of master tradespeople and creative minds to get their insight and knowledge. We discuss and dissect how we approached the challenges that others shied away from and how we found solutions without compromise to form or function.

When architecture firm, Sebastian Mariscal Studio completed their award-winning Phoenix House project in 2012, some would say it was built to last a lifetime. The commanding cast-in-place concrete forms married design and materials in permanence. This made the custom home remarkable while also ensuring that any future changes or updates would require careful consideration that respected the original architectural intent. When West Coast GBC was approached to lead construction on the next phase of the Phoenix House we were honored not only for the opportunity to work with the esteemed project team but to also be recognized as one of the only general contractors in the area capable of working on the most complex residential building projects.

There is a beauty and a reality to materials and architecture. While we all enjoy the visual appeal and inspirational qualities of luxury homes, it is only when presented with the opportunity of building or living in such a home that understanding the intricacies of materials and requirements of maintenance becomes a necessity.

Working closely with clients to provide a thorough understanding of the responsibilities, constraints, and compromises that can come with certain materials, ultimately allows a homeowner to make informed decisions and plan beyond their move-in to accommodate financial and scheduling requirements to maintain their home. Ultimately a home should feel manageable and each client has a different threshold for wear, budget, and involvement. No matter the threshold, it begins with transparency and a lot of that responsibility falls on a general contractor.

The Phoenix House is a great example of custom architecture that invites us to appreciate the complexity of its construction and to also consider the implications of that complexity when it comes to repairs and renovations.

Exquisite in design and form, Phoenix House is comprised primarily of solid cast-in-place concrete using mold forms built from raw timber planks that add striking textural finish to the surfaces of the walls. As a material concrete is also unapologetic in the trade-off that its beauty, durability, and energy efficiency brings; making repairs or renovating even the smallest of details demands precision and can require a significant level of forensic construction and expertise.

Repairs

When the Phoenix House was sold to the current owner, extensive repairs were needed and comprehensive renovations to parts of the home were desired.
Moisture management can be a challenge with concrete. As a porous material, if it is not properly sealed and insulated, it can be susceptible to moisture intrusion and mold growth. Water intrusion was an evident problem at the property which is a challenge on any structure not least of which are custom properties such as this one where a team is constrained by an inability to easily take apart or open surfaces. More than having the expertise, working on a project like this requires a brutally incremental approach and incremental patience.

West Coast GBC, Alexandra Meyn and Sebastian Mariscal Studio working through details for the master bathroom.

The exterior walls of the Phoenix House were blanketed in living vines. The verdant walls were undeniably beautiful, however what lay beneath was much less appealing. The vines were concealing and contributing to serious moisture damage that had become a pressing priority to address. A viral video of Matthew’s Landscaping releasing one of the “vine blankets” garnered a lot of attention and understandably-without the extra context-some dismayed comments about cutting down the greenery. The decision to remove the vines was made in the interest of preserving the home. Our team went to painstaking lengths to determine and isolate issues and come up with a plan to resolve them as well as prevent future damage and structural vulnerabilities.

From determining how to properly seal the entire structure through to diligently tracking the path of hundreds of bottles of water that were poured through suspected additional entry-points, our team were scrupulous in their efforts.

By revealing the walls of this award-winning home, a new chapter will begin for the property. The distinguished TAX + Alberto Kalach team have plans for a breathtaking update to the landscaping. With a thoughtful approach to form and function the new landscape will be complementary and appropriate for this one-of-a-kind property.

Renovations

A highly detailed map of how lines were run can save a lot of future headaches however such plans aren’t always accurate or at times even made.

Changing all of the fixtures to custom-made brass pieces is one of the many updates taking place during this renovation. With most homes, changing fixtures and hardware is relatively straightforward with the right tradespeople and tools. However, in a concrete house, every plumbing and electrical fixture has been cut and drilled to specific measurements and the lines have been encased in dense cement.

It is a considerable task that designer Alexandra Meyn has taken on with the calm collected ease of a seasoned expert who understands materials, making, and detail. Meyn has a close relationship with the clients having worked on other properties for them across the country. Meyn is a multidisciplinary creative force that in her downtime has been restoring a traditional property in New Orleans. Her hands-on understanding of materials and construction is an asset to the collaborative approach required of the Phoenix House update.

When undertaking a renovation on a property as unique as this one, it is essential to carefully consider and address the intricacies inherent in working with concrete structures. Preserving the original architectural and design elements while modernizing its functionality and aesthetics is a rewarding challenge to take on. From custom-built structural components to unique facade details, maintaining the property's luxury character demands a meticulous approach that respects the original design intent while introducing contemporary enhancements.

One of our favorite features that the team is currently working on features a large custom marble bathtub that is being hand crafted by the Davani Group in Italy. The weight of the marble bathtub has required careful examination of the structural integrity of the concrete floor, new considerations for reinforcement and proper drainage. Additionally, the team is working on a plan for a precise installation process through a structure with numerous constraints, a task that is truly flexing creative problem thinking skills!

To say that we love detail doesn’t always feel like it does justice to the passion of our team, the proof is in the work. By inviting people to see the granular side of fine architecture we hope to foster an even deeper appreciation for craft and ownership of custom homes like the Phoenix House.