Carmel, California, USA
The Ribera Road residence is a modern beachfront vacation home designed for a three-generation family. It features seamless indoor-outdoor living, maximizing coastal views while minimizing ecological impact.
Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and expansive windows enhance ocean vistas, while an infinity-edge plunge pool and multiple outdoor decks create a year-round retreat.
A warm sandstone wall distinguishes open living areas from private bedrooms, and the home reuses a previous foundation to lessen construction impact.
Natural light and ventilation are prioritized, with solar power and in-floor heating ensuring energy efficiency. This design celebrates the site’s beauty while promoting sustainable enjoyment.
Ribera Road Residence by Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects, won an American Architecture Award 2025 from The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design.
Situated above the confluence of the Carmel River and the Pacific Ocean, the residence features floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and expansive windows that capture breathtaking views of the coast and valley.
The infinity pool and cascading outdoor decks create inviting transitions to the beach below, enhancing the sensory experience of the location.
A warm sandstone wall not only supports the floating roof but also elegantly divides the home into two distinct zones: an expansive, boundary-free living area and cozy private bedrooms, promoting both connectivity and privacy.
Significant attention was given to sustainability and ecological impact. The project reuses an existing concrete foundation, exterior stud walls and stays within the footprint of the previous structure, minimizing construction impacts on the delicate river ecosystem below.
The hydronic in-floor radiant heating system and solar hot water heaters for the pool ensure efficient warmth throughout the home, lowering energy costs and environmental impact.
A robust 8.64 kWh solar array fulfils much of the home’s annual energy demand while a 27 kWh battery backup system stores excess solar energy, ensuring reliability during power outages and peak demand.
An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) efficiently manages airflow, enhancing indoor air quality by drawing in fresh air while maintaining energy efficiency.
Engaging the senses and connecting occupants to their environment, the Ribera Road residence draws family members together, creating a space for dining, swimming, and relaxation.
The open indoor/outdoor living area is the heart of the home, while bedrooms cater to adults, and the Den serves as a playful lounge for grandchildren.
This multifunctional layout successfully brings the family closer, encouraging frequent gatherings and reinforcing bonds.
The residence’s thoughtful design not only enhances family life but also serves as a model of sustainability that the community will strive to emulate in future neighboring developments.
Its integration of sustainable practices and respect for the natural landscape ensures a meaningful legacy for future generations, inviting continued enjoyment and connection to the Carmel River Estuary.
Project: Ribera Road Residence
Architects: Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects
Design Team: Takashi Yanai, Bryn Garrett, Steven Ehrlich, Matt Ininns, and Ann Tanaka
General Contractor: De Mattei Construction, Inc.
Client: Private
Photographers: Matthew Millman Photography
