Manhattan Beach, California, is notorious for its “blocky” architecture—a byproduct of rigid building codes that often force homes into bulky, uninspired cubes draped in perimeter balconies. But on a slender, sloping lot just blocks from the Pacific, Brooks + Scarpa has staged a quiet rebellion. The Alma Switch House is a 3,965-square-foot masterclass in subtraction, proving that the most luxurious move an architect can make is carving space out of the mass.

Instead of filling the lot to its edges, the team “switched” the typology by hollowing out the center to create a stunning open-air courtyard. This central void does more than just break up the building’s scale; it pulls the ocean breeze and California sunset into every corner of the three-story home. By shifting the focus inward, the architects created a private sanctuary where parents can monitor their children through floor-to-ceiling glass from almost any room.

The exterior is wrapped in a shimmering anodized-aluminum screen that dances with the light, turning the facade into a silver, light-bending phenomenon that changes by the hour. This isn’t just for show—the screen acts as a thermal shield, helping the home achieve a staggering 40% increase in efficiency over conventional neighborhood builds. 

From the top-floor public zone with its blurred indoor-outdoor boundaries to the ground-level den and three-car garage, the Alma Switch House isn’t just a dwelling; it’s a high-performance prototype for coastal living.

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