Carmel 03 / Located on the dunes of the Carmel shoreline, the White Sands Residence draws inspiration directly from the movement of ocean and wind and the patterns they generate moving up the sand, over the dunes, and across the property. A sand path meanders the length of the site linking five zones with distinct plantings: Carmel Bay, active beach, foredune, dune swale, and reardune.  Dune renewal and reshaping, plus removal of invasive species and overall ecological restoration, profoundly transformed the land and restored the subtle variation and richness of dune topography. A restrained plant palette of native plants was composed in patterns translated from ocean currents and wind patterns, replicating their varying intensity in eddies and flows. The house, settled into the reardune with a dramatic view out to Monterey Bay, created a secondary ecosystem for an enclosed garden and entry with ornamental plants that pays homage to Carmel’s cottage garden tradition.

Photography by Joe Fletcher

Client: Private client
Location: Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Dates: 2017-2021
Size: 0.25 property
Architect: Field Architecture
Civil Engineer:‍ ‍Benjamini Inc.
General Contractor: Stocker & Allaire
Landscape Contractor: PM Landscaping
Grading & Excavation: Brett George Company

Photography by Joe Fletcher