Project Highlight: Sea Cliff Residence
FORMA has collaborated with Saul Estrada Studio to document the journey of one of our newest projects, the Sea Cliff Residence. This article has sourced material from both the FORMA team and Saul Estrada Studio. All photos are taken by Saul Estrada Studio.
Dating back to 1928, the Sea Cliff Residence is rich with layers of California history and architectural style. Vaulted ceilings, arched doorways and windows, waterfront views and lush greenery are just a few of the details that make this a highly-coveted site.
Rolling waves crashing against the bluffs with the sweet scent of the sands below set the scene for the work that follows. Stripped down the studs, the exposed wooden slats are enveloped in dark scaffolding, leaving the roof unscathed (for now.)
Project Site Report | Tuesday, April 22nd
“Inside, the house has been stripped to the bones. Most of the framing is old-growth redwood—exposed and intact after decades in place.
Saul Estrada Studio
Temporary shoring is in place to support key load paths while foundation work progresses. Layout refinements are underway, but no new framing has been set. Existing conditions have been documented and reviewed in preparation for what comes next.
In the basement, the first in a series of concrete pours took place today. Three full trucks delivered concrete for the new footings, following inspection and sign-off last Friday (4/18). Tight access and low-clearance conditions continue to make the work challenging, but progress is steady.
Scaffolding wraps the rear elevation, which has been stripped down to the existing exterior sheathing. A few areas of demo remain, but most of the work is complete and ready for new waterproofing.”
Beyond the walls
Every house, at its core, is the same. Stripping away mounds of concrete, sheet rock, old wallpapers and chipped paint leaves nothing but an empty shell of wooden beams to the naked eye. At closer look, you begin to draw connections, trace its origins and come to the understanding that each plank, every nail, is deliberate. It all has a purpose.
To some, the sight of bare beams is unappealing. The raw edges, crooked chalk lines and leftover demo strewn across the floor—ghastly. However, it is the imperfections and the mess that make it, arguably, the most visually captivating stage of the construction process.
Temporary Support
Shoring: The process of using temporary supports to stabilize a structure of excavation site during construction or repair work.
To prevent collapses and ensure worker safety, temporary shoring runs throughout the home. A crucial step that cannot be skipped. It bears the weight of the unfinished structure, keeping it intact while the team chips away at the foundation, reinforces the framing and more.
Peaking through the depths of the first floor reveals hand-dug footings reinforced with rebar. With time, these will support new steel columns that will strengthen the foundation and ensure its longevity.
The Pour
Silence takes over the site as the concrete truck pulls in. The grey sludge flows into every crevice and crack, over every steel bar and wooden slat. It settles in to the spaces that were created intentionally for it. As it cures, it solidifies the foundation as well as all of the work that has been done by the crew.
“There’s something exciting about a concrete mixer pulling up to site. Every kid loves a truck—that never really leaves us.”
Saul Estrada Studio
On the Horizon
While the project is still in its early phases and there is much to discover and conquer, its progress is inspiring. Each day, nail by nail, this home begins to take shape. The final result becomes more clear as the team works tirelessly towards the light at the end of the tunnel.