- Project: Ramos Residence
- Architect: Venn Studio
- Location: United States, Manhattan Beach, California
- Year: 2022
- Area: 369 m2
- Photography: Justin Chung
Coastal Clarity and Family Continuity
Designed by Venn Studio, the Ramos Residence in Manhattan Beach reimagines the archetype of the California coastal home as a calm, modern retreat rooted in sunlight, air, and connection. Built for longtime residents who wanted to remain in their neighborhood, the house balances openness with privacy, modern simplicity with the warmth of everyday life.
The project began as a full rebuild of a 1950s single-story ranch, transforming it into a two-level residence that could accommodate multigenerational family living. At its core lies a sense of continuity—of family, community, and coastal heritage—expressed through a language of clean lines, honest materials, and natural light.
Design Intent
Venn Studio approached the Ramos Residence as a study in light and layering. The home’s design prioritizes rhythm and proportion over ornamentation, creating a sequence of interconnected spaces that feel expansive yet intimate.
Large operable openings link interior and exterior, dissolving boundaries between the beach environment and the built space. The circulation spine—anchored by a central stair—organizes the plan while acting as a vertical light well, bringing daylight deep into the center of the home.
The architecture’s restraint allows material texture, natural light, and shadow to become the defining elements of atmosphere.
Spatial Composition
The ground level unfolds as a unified great room—living, dining, and kitchen flowing seamlessly toward a landscaped yard and pool terrace. Floor-to-ceiling glazing frames the outdoor spaces, while concealed sliding panels allow the house to transform from open pavilion to protected retreat.
A primary suite on the main floor ensures comfort and accessibility for the homeowners as they age in place, while the upper level hosts two guest suites, a home gym, and a flexible loft for extended family stays.
Each room is oriented to capture sunlight at different times of day, creating a gentle choreography of brightness and shade across surfaces.
Materials and Craft
The design language of the Ramos Residence is defined by simplicity, tactility, and coastal resilience.
-
Exterior: smooth stucco in neutral tones paired with vertical cedar cladding and natural stone accents.
-
Interior: white oak floors, walnut millwork, honed stone surfaces, and matte plaster walls that absorb daylight softly.
-
Furnishings: minimal and textural—linen, woven fibers, and warm metals—chosen to harmonize with the architecture rather than compete with it.
The materials are designed to age naturally under the coastal climate, gaining patina and texture rather than requiring perfection.
Light, Air, and Flow
Natural light drives the experience of the home. Clerestory windows and skylights introduce subtle vertical illumination, while broad openings to the east and west control the intensity of the sun through deep overhangs.
Cross-ventilation eliminates the need for constant air conditioning, and terraces on both levels extend the living areas outward, framing views of palms, sky, and ocean light.
At dusk, soft integrated lighting replaces daylight without disturbing the home’s serenity, ensuring visual continuity from day into evening.
Structure and Sustainability
The residence relies on passive performance rather than overt technology. Its orientation, shading, and high-performance envelope maintain comfortable interior conditions year-round. Materials were locally sourced and chosen for low maintenance and longevity.
The architecture prioritizes durability over novelty: concrete foundations, steel reinforcements, and treated wood framing ensure structural stability in a coastal seismic zone. Every design decision serves clarity, efficiency, and life span.
Atmosphere and Living
Inside, the Ramos Residence feels like a continuation of the beach itself—open, relaxed, and luminous. Textures of sand-toned stone and wood create continuity between exterior and interior. The result is a home where everything feels calm yet vital: rooms for gathering, spaces for retreat, and views that connect daily life to the horizon.
Venn Studio’s approach reflects a deeper ethos: to create homes that feel inevitable, where every gesture supports light, air, and human rhythm. Ramos Residence embodies that vision—an architecture of ease, warmth, and permanence.
