Keogh Residence by Venn Studio: A Coastal Sanctuary of Light and Balance

Contemporary Coastal Living in Manhattan Beach

The Keogh Residence by Venn Studio is a serene coastal retreat nestled within the quiet hillside of Manhattan Beach, California. Designed in 2023, the 4,059-square-foot home embodies a sophisticated blend of modern architecture, natural light, and seamless indoor-outdoor living.

Framed by a tranquil residential street and a lively public park, the residence captures the essence of Southern California living—balancing architectural precision with relaxed coastal charm. The design unites a three-story home with a private Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), offering flexible spaces that accommodate a multi-generational family.

Terraced Design Following the Natural Landscape

Built on a hillside lot, the home is articulated as a series of terraced boxes that step with the natural topography. Each volume responds to the site’s grade, privacy requirements, and spatial needs, forming a sculptural massing that feels both grounded and dynamic.

To maintain harmony with neighboring homes, Venn Studio kept the building height intentionally low, creating a subtle street presence. From most pedestrian viewpoints, the residence reads as a two-story structure, while the rear façade opens dramatically toward the park.

A sweeping multi-slide pocket door system connects the interior to the expansive second-story veranda, dissolving the boundary between indoor and outdoor living—a hallmark of California modernism.

Material Palette and Architectural Detailing

The exterior façade features a refined mix of smooth-trowel stucco and horizontally hand-raked stucco, emphasizing the play of light and shadow throughout the day. As sunlight shifts, the textures animate the façade, enhancing its depth and warmth.

Architectural elements such as flat rooflines, aluminum shading fins, and custom aluminum-clad windows add precision and rhythm to the home’s geometry. These details highlight Venn Studio’s sensitivity to light modulation and material craftsmanship.

At the ground level, board-formed concrete site walls with horizontal wood impressions complement the native landscaping, rooting the structure within its coastal context. The design evokes a sense of permanence while maintaining a soft, natural aesthetic.

Light, Views, and Privacy in Balance

Natural light and connection to nature were central to the home’s design philosophy. Each window and opening was thoughtfully placed to maximize daylight, enhance cross-ventilation, and frame select views of the park.

Despite the abundant glazing, privacy remains carefully curated. Flush structural headers allow for floor-to-ceiling glass and seamless threshold transitions, creating continuity between spaces. Light becomes a guiding design element—defining circulation, enhancing comfort, and connecting each room to the outdoors.

Flexible, Multigenerational Living

The interior layout is organized around the couple’s vision for flexible living and age-in-place comfort. The main level serves as the heart of the home, with an open-plan living room, kitchen, and primary suite extending to a covered veranda. A fireplace and framed park views enrich this breezy central gathering zone.

The upper floor hosts guest suites and a family lounge, offering adaptable space for visiting relatives. Meanwhile, the basement ADU provides a self-contained area for a future tenant or caregiver—reflecting a forward-thinking approach to multigenerational living and spatial adaptability.

A Contemporary Dialogue Between Landscape and Light

The Keogh Residence is a testament to Venn Studio’s mastery of contemporary residential architecture—a composition of light, texture, and thoughtful spatial relationships. By integrating site-responsive massing, modern materiality, and indoor-outdoor fluidity, the home achieves a timeless balance between sophistication and comfort.

All Photographs are works of Nils Timm