In keeping with a city law against ’mansionization,’ the developer tried to soften the appearance of the four-story contemporary home carved into a steep hillside.

FROM LATIMES.COM

Cut into a steep hillside, this contemporary home in north Laguna Beach reflects the changes the city made to its municipal code in 2002, commonly known as the “mansionization ordinance,” to reduce the appearance of mass from the growing number of stacked homes.

Developer Jeff Day and his associates purchased the 1949 home that stretched across two lots, tore it down and subdivided the lots equally. Paul McClean of McClean Design was hired to design both homes.

The contemporary combines nautical elements with natural materials.

“The curves bring movement into the design; otherwise it tends to look kind of boxy and static.”

Paul McClean McClean Design

“One of the issues with a four-story structure is that we were trying to soften the impact and make it as different as we could from the

house next door,” McClean said. “The curves bring movement into the design; otherwise it tends to look kind of boxy and static.”

Because of the hillside, several large retaining walls were constructed. Along the back and sides the wall heights vary, stepping down in areas and back up in others. Altogether, 800 cubic yards of concrete were needed. The grading, excavation and retaining walls, Day said, added six months to the project.

“We thought it was important to pull the house away from the retaining wall,” McClean said. “So even with the tall retaining wall in the back, it’s better to have the courtyard space, so you don’t have the feeling of living in a hill.”

The courtyard features a fireplace, built-in barbecue and bar area with access

See MANSION, page C38