Gerald Horn was a Senior Design Partner with Holabird & Root. He was actively involved with all aspects of design development for many of the prestigious national and international commissions in the office. With more than 40 years of experience, Mr. Horn has designed a variety of building types, now specializing in single-family residential homes. His work has been recognized in numerous award competitions for design excellence and published in Architectural Record, Inland Architect, Progressive Architecture as well as several other national and international publications. His work has been exhibited at The Chicago Architecture Foundation, The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, Cornell University, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Walker Museum of Fine Arts in Minneapolis, and Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.

selected journals the architect has been noted in:

AIA Journal, New American Architecture, May 1979

Architectural Record, Building Types Study 573: Industrial Buildings by Holabird & Root, March 1982

The home's exterior features steel framing, teak window infill and concrete walls. Two glass-enclosed upper wings extend westward taking advantage of natural light and expansive views. The wings' skewed angles respond to the fan-shaped building lot and finish with dramatic cantilevers over a garden wall The design maximizes the feeling of high ceilings and a spacious floor plan, while adhering to the beach community's strict height requirements.

A division of public and private spaces allows the couple to entertain family and friends without sacrificing the intimacy and scale of a two-person residence. The public upper floor focuses attention on expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding community. An exposed steel-framed and glass-enclosed walkway connects the kitchen and dining area that comprise the north wing with the master bedroom suite and living room spaces in the south wing. Overlooking a private, landscaped courtyard below, the walkway also provides access to an upper-lever deck nestled between the two Wings. Informal spaces such as the guest room, office and family entertainment area on the lower floor surround the private courtyard.

Other highlights of the home's interior feature curved mahogany beams connected by steel trusses and supported by steel brackets. The resultant arched king beams allow for maximum height and extensive spans, creating a spacious feeling. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors integrate the interior space with the exterior, encouraging a quintessential outdoor California lifestyle.

selected publications the home has been featured in:

Focus Architecture Chicago, September 1998, page 10

Design Concepts, Spring 1999, pages 24-25

Design-Build Business, December 1999, pages 10-12

Custom Home, 2000 Home Design Awards, March 2000, pages 70-71

Residential Architect, March 2000, pages 68-71