This beautiful ocean-view home in Solana Beach needed a few upgrades to expand on the owner's existing Thai style. The couple (who took inspiration from their travels to Southeast Asia) wanted to extend the theme beyond the existing Thai mosaic-tiled outdoor shower and built-in BBQ to include a custom rooftop that would provide shade and add character to the already unique home and exotic landscape.
This was part of our own remodel to say goodbye to our SoCal home in style. Over the years, the atrium had gone through many redesigns, but we'd always wanted to add awnings with the option of covering them with translucent panels to bring more shade to the center of the home during the hot summer days. Of course, when you're a busy general contractor, the less critical and more creative projects for your own home tend to go on the back burner. So, this one felt more like a gift to the new owners, and it really was. They loved it. The reclaimed wood came from many projects over the years. We knew one day it would go to something fun, and here it is, and our son helped out and got to learn some building techniques too.
After three seasons contracting to build massive sandcastle forms on the beach for renowned sand sculptor and founder of the World Sand Sculpting Academy, Gary Kirk, who led the competition for the Discovery Channel's "explosive" television show (they blew up the sandcastles), Sand Blasters, I was hired to lead construction of Pelly's Miniature Golf in Del Mar. Collaborating with Kirk, who's sand sculpting work and aquatic vision for the course won the contract, I had the opportunity to add form and function around Kirk's sculptures. In partnership, we brought to life Kirk’s sea creatures, piers, and surf scenes, and authentic pirate ship as the centerpiece envisioned by Kirk. It was an honor to work on the project and revive the old mini golf property, which I visited as a kid and spent countless hours skateboarding the pools next door at the historic Del Mar Skate Ranch. Photo credit to Gary Kirk, a great man and master artist, who is sorely missed.
