Jacobson Residence

Text by Edward Keegan

Griffin Enright Architects redesigned the master bathroom of this residence in Manhattan Beach, Calif., to make it part of a larger outdoor patio with ocean views. A low-flow energy-efficient toilet is discreetly tucked in one corner behind a sliding door, allowing the less intimate areas of the space to become what the Los Angeles–based designers call “a summertime social space,” with a soaking tub acting as a small pool at its center. An exterior bench extends the edge of the bathtub onto the patio, and sliding glass doors between them open to unify the indoor/outdoor space, which was built by Frank Abate Construction.

Extensive mirrors make the combined space seem even larger than it is, while also reflecting natural daylight to every corner of the bathroom. A floor-to-ceiling glazed shower continues the theme of shared space, extending what the designers describe as the project’s “voyeuristic qualities.” A lavatory with double sinks anchors the room beneath the mirror. In the Jacobson Residence, an essentially private—and traditionally closed—room is reconsidered as a new type of social space at the heart of the house, notable for its ample natural daylighting, natural ventilation, and open accessibility.

“The way the window slides away and creates a surprising indoor/outdoor environment is innovative and exciting.”
— Juror Steven Ehrlich

Architect: Griffin Enright ArchitectsBuilder: Frank Abate Construction
Size: 3,597 square feet (whole house)
Cost: Withheld