Palos Verdes Estates Beach Craftsman by Pritzkat & Johnson Architects

Design
Architect: Pritzkat & Johnson Architects
Materials
WD-Series Heaters

Founded by architects and owners Miles Pritzkat and Keith Johnson, this boutique firm specializes in custom residential architecture for clients in the South Bay and Los Angeles. Pritzkat & Johnson are involved in every aspect of a project, and bring decades of architectural expertise, a wide variety of stylistic vernaculars, and a deep familiarity with the regional climate and geography to their clients. Many of their projects are sited in coastal areas, where considerations like fog and afternoon thermals factor into the design process as they create indoor-outdoor living areas that are comfortable at any time of day. The firm has been recognized with a Professional Remodeler Gold Award and featured in Southbay HOME Architect Showcases, as well as many other prestigious publications.

Before the Renovation Pritzkat & Johnson believe that tearing down an existing house and building from the ground up is not always the rigth path to getting the desired outcome. The home had to completely transform to make the most of the space, scenery, and location. The team looked at elements and parts of the existing home that the clients wanted to keep. From there they developed new floor plans and chose facade treatments and materials that would elevate the homes design. Goals for Project Goals of the project were to create a beautiful new home for the clients to live in year-round. Specializing in residential design around coastal cities, Pritzkat & Johnson had a collective vision on how to transform the traditional home to a modern and liveable space for the clients.

Our philosophy is if you really want a useable outdoor space, you need to provide enough heat so people are comfortable.

— Kieth Johnson

Inspirations for the Project
The environment was the initial inspiration for the project. To help clients enjoy an ocean-facing terrace, the team embraced solutions like glass wind screens, shaded decks, radiant floor heating and overhead warmth. The home had to be durabile and sustainabile yet comfortable for daily life.

About the Design
This home was designed to combine beachfront living with a client’s love of entertaining. The architects created a large, shaded area that makes the most of the site’s ocean view by adding a retractable wall in the kitchen that opens the living space up to an outdoor porch.

Outdoor Design Approach
Aethetics are of high importance when it comes to outdoor design and development. Pritzkat and Johnson choose amenities that offer seamless integration and create an environment that is comfortable wherever you are.

Integrating Infratech
Pritzkat & Johnson mounted Infratech heaters to the porch’s ceiling to add comfort and promote indoor-outdoor flow, especially during parties. Infratech heaters sleek design of the fixtures complement the ceiling treatment, and the heat output is significant enough to warm guests on chilly winter days and cool summer evenings.

"You can get local comfort that is very unobstrusive, people aren't even aware of it. They can walk outside and say 'it feels great out here!'" - Miles Pritzkat