Barkentine House by ras-a studio is a sensitive renovation and expansion of a modernist residence set on a steep hillside overlooking Abalone Cove in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Originally built in 1964 by architect Foster Rhodes Jackson, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright, Barkentine House reinterprets a mid-century architectural language for contemporary living while preserving its strong connection to landscape and ocean views.
A Modernist Legacy Revisited
The original house occupied a remarkable perch above the Pacific Ocean, defined by a clear cubist form and a restrained material palette. The project brief called for a complete renovation and addition that would bring the home into the 21st century without diluting its architectural identity.
Rather than pursuing a visible expansion, the design focused on subtle interventions that respect the original massing and hillside presence. The goal was continuity rather than contrast.
Expanding Without Increasing the Footprint
One of the main challenges involved increasing the home’s usable area while keeping its footprint unchanged on the steep site. At the same time, the existing roof plate imposed low ceiling heights that limited spatial quality.
To address these constraints, the architects worked within the original volume. They added square footage discreetly, ensuring that the scale and proportions of the house remained intact.
Strategic Interior Interventions
The kitchen expansion and new dining area were achieved by enclosing an underutilized rear patio, allowing the program to grow without extending outward. Below, an existing crawl space was excavated and converted into habitable rooms, expanding the lower-level living areas.
On the upper floor, the renovation removed compartmentalized layouts in favor of open-plan spaces. This transformation maximizes views toward the Pacific and strengthens the visual relationship between interior and landscape.
In Barkentine House, spatial clarity becomes a primary design tool for enhancing daily experience.
Bringing Light and Volume Through the Roof
Zoning height restrictions prevented vertical expansion, so the architects turned to the roof plate as an opportunity. A series of oversized skylight wells puncture the existing roof, introducing additional volume and daylight throughout the house.
These skylight wells also function as quasi thermal chimneys, encouraging passive ventilation and helping cool the home naturally. The intervention improves comfort while remaining consistent with the modernist ethos of functional clarity.
Outdoor Spaces Integrated Into the Hillside
New deck areas and a pool were carefully folded into the entry sequence, forming a courtyard-like space that feels anchored to the hillside rather than imposed upon it. This outdoor zone acts as a transitional space between arrival, landscape, and interior living.
Landscaping relies on native and regionally appropriate plants, reinforcing the connection between the architecture and its coastal environment.
Material Continuity and Subtle Updates
The renovation sustains the original material palette while refining it with updated detailing. These subtle adjustments elevate the minimal exterior without altering its fundamental character, allowing the house to age gracefully rather than appear newly imposed.
Renewable Energy for Contemporary Living
To support modern performance expectations, photovoltaic panels were installed on the roof and paired with battery storage. This system provides clean energy and aligns the house with contemporary sustainability goals without compromising its architectural integrity.
A Carefully Evolved Hillside Home
Barkentine House demonstrates how a modernist residence can adapt to new lifestyles while honoring its origins. Through restrained expansion, strategic daylighting, and careful integration with the site, the project preserves both architectural intent and sense of place.
By working within existing limits and elevating what was already present, Barkentine House stands as a thoughtful example of mid-century renovation shaped by respect, precision, and landscape awareness.
Team:
Architecture: ras-a studio
Photo Credits: Joe Fletcher
