Midcentury for the 21st

At the Avocado Acres house in Encinitas, you can see the palm trees through the clerestory windows, hinting at developer — and surfer — Steve Hoiles’ love affair with California. ¶ It’s hard to believe the newly built modern home was once a dilapidated dr

At a time when many California real estate developers are demonized for overbuilding, the Encinitas-based builder says he is trying to create “sustainable modernist homes” similar to those championed by beloved midcentury developer and builder Joseph Eichler.

From the front, the geometric shed roof slopes to the north and downslopes to the west.

But in back, the single slope roof is dissected by a curvilinear roof designed by San Diego architect Lloyd Russell. Looking at the house from above, it looks like someone took a huge bite out of it. This sense of fun inspires Hoiles’ work — this is his eighth house — along with the midcentury architecture of Richard Neutra and the famed architectural experiments known as the Case Study houses. “I am a student of history,” said Hoiles, who moved here from Vancouver five years ago. “The Avocado House was a reflection of that. It’s a nod to Eichler and the Case Study houses.” In addition to the home’s striking geometry, Hoiles, working with Russell, tried to implement the best of Midcentury Modern design including clerestory windows, floor-toceiling glass and indoor-outdoor access. The home is divided into three “pavilions” with easy access to a courtyard through sliding glass doors. At 2,800 square feet, the house is a good size although Hoiles said it could have been larger.

“It was 1,000 square feet less than what was allowable,” said Hoiles.

Adds Hoiles: “I hope when people see my work, it changes their mind about developers.”

The new home is an example of what Hoiles calls “pragmatic modernism,” or, taking the principles of Midcentury Modernism and creating something new for the 21st century. Here’s how he did it:

Insight Photos

Darren Bradley STATEMENT TILE Encaustic cement hexagonal tiles by Procomex, handmade in Monterey, Mexico, create a lively quilt effect on the bathroom f loor.

Surfside Projects BEFORE The original 900-square-foot house was a wreck. After squatters were removed by law enforcement, the home was deconstructed and repurposed. “The wood and concrete was recycled,” said Hoiles. “Whatever we could use we kept. I took out interior...

Darren Bradley AFTER A single shed roof connects the home’s three main living areas, called pavilions, and gives the home a simple, minimalist look. A concrete wall at the front of the house offers privacy from the street and “adds a little bit of strength and...

Darren Bradley SCANDINAVIAN INFLUENCE The open floor plan was designed with socializing in mind. White oak floors and white walls give the house a Scandinavian feel. Both the kitchen and master bathroom cabinets feature rosewood veneer that Hoiles found in a...

Darren Bradley CURVED SHED ROOFLINE Architect Lloyd Russell designed a curved shed roofline that unifies all of the rooms in the house. “That roof line adds so much interest because it contrasts with the geometry of the front,” said Hoiles. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY...

Darren Bradley FLEXIBLE INTERIORS The 2,800-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom home was designed to be f lexible with an L-shaped living room that opens to the kitchen, dining room and outdoors. “You can move the dining room table out to the deck because it is...

Darren Bradley COURTYARD CONNECTION The master bedroom includes a walkin closet, bathroom and a f loor-toceiling glass slider that opens to the courtyard and first pavilion. The exterior of the house is clad in durable, termite-resistant western red cedar. “It can...