54 DIGS.NET
| 9.20.24
S W E E T D I G S | 2 8 2 1 A L M A AV E N U E
ing in the inner courtyard, while you are
in another part of the house. (The family
friendly floorplan features sleeping spaces
on the middle floor, public spaces on the
first and uppermost floors, and a glassed-in
elevator to transport you between levels.)
While there's transparency and inter-
connectivity among the three levels, there's
also privacy. Sculpted screen walls, made
from anodized aluminum, add visual
distinction to the facade of the home
while creating a shield from the street.
The screens were also cleverly designed
to shimmer in the light, or shift in hue as
conditions change.
SCULPTED LIGHT, SUSTAINABIL-
ITY AND COMMUNITY
It's another highlight of the home: Light
and shadows. "As the sun comes through
the sculpted metal scrim," explains
Stroyke, "you get different patterns of
shadow and light throughout the day." And
a continual beat of natural light suffusing
throughout the home—another benefit of
its inward-focused design.
After dark, you can move to the interior
courtyard, with its views of the night sky
and stars. Or anywhere in the home, where
the cheerful day light and vivid sunset hues
are swapped out for an elegant after-dark
mode. At night, the homeowner describes,
"light filters across all parts of the house
like a lantern."
It's a distinctive coastal home matched
by an ultra-desirable location—on a hill-
side walk street just a few minutes from
the beach on foot. "It's the last walk-street
lot in northern Manhattan," says Stroyke.
"But what's unique about Alma as a Sand
Section street is that it's a very wide street
that has deep city setbacks." The setback
here is neatly landscaped, creating a natu-
ral green buffer between the ground level
of the home and the walk street.
It's a space meant to be inviting, and
has been put to good use when entertain-
ing guests and neighbors. There's a breezy
beach room that connects to a sculpted
patio with built-in seating and plenty of
places to lounge and dine—a favorite spot
"for casual après-beach entertaining," the
homeowner describes, and a regular gath-
ering place for parties and barbecues.
"There is seating next to the walk street,"
she describes, "which is great for visiting
with neighbors and watching the sunset."
It's thoroughly pleasant times like this
that first inspired the vision of this remark-
able home—created, the homeowner
shares, "to connect with the natural beauty
of Manhattan Beach and with the energy of
a vibrant community, while providing the
comforts of a modern home." And realized
in dynamic fashion at 2821 Alma Avenue.
A
R
C
H
I
T
E
C
T
U
R
E
+
D
E
S
I
G
N
