THE OCEAN TERRACE
PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA

This 100 unit condominium development is set on the rugged coastline of the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
The basic design apprach was to eliminate common interior corridors and halls and create a sense of separate entry for each unit. The solutions was to move the corridors outside, separate them from the main structures by making them walkways, and then connect the walkways to each unit with a bridge. The result: a similar landscape as that of a suburban neighborhood.
The outside walkways and bridges also made it possible to stagger most of the units. This produced corner windows that increased the view of the sea, Catalina Island, and more of the coastline. Each of the 100 units enjoys the same panoramic view.
The basic design apprach was to eliminate common interior corridors and halls and create a sense of separate entry for each unit. The solutions was to move the corridors outside, separate them from the main structures by making them walkways, and then connect the walkways to each unit with a bridge. The result: a similar landscape as that of a suburban neighborhood.
The outside walkways and bridges also made it possible to stagger most of the units. This produced corner windows that increased the view of the sea, Catalina Island, and more of the coastline. Each of the 100 units enjoys the same panoramic view.
It was one of the first building projects after the California Coastal Commission came into effect in 1976.



