Crescent House Oceanfront Residence – Neptune Ave, Encinitas, CA, USA 🇺🇸

Crescent House, designed by American architectural designer Wallace E. Cunningham, is constructed from concrete, titanium, and glass, embodying his vision of sculptural curvilinear forms that mirror the movement of the sea. His concept of ‘framing views as art’ is fully realized in Crescent House, where expansive glass walls seamlessly merge indoor and outdoor spaces. The tiered structure and the iconic crescent-shaped infinity pool not only reflect the moon’s shape but also create the illusion of the home floating above the ocean, an effect Cunningham intentionally crafted to evoke serenity and harmony.

Name: Crescent House
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 6
Size: 6,239 sq. ft.
Lot: 0.42 acres
Built: 2004

Crescent House, an architectural masterpiece of modernism designed by renowned visionary Wallace E. Cunningham, is perched atop a 74-foot promontory in the coastal city of Encinitas, California. Cunningham’s work is often described as sculptural, and this home is no exception. The design takes full advantage of its natural surroundings, blending cutting-edge architecture with the breathtaking Pacific landscape. The house frames the ocean like a work of art with interiors flooded with natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows that create a fluid and open space. The home’s defining feature, the crescent-shaped infinity pool, mirrors the moon’s curves and enhances the sense of seamless integration with the coastal landscape. Cunningham’s philosophy of allowing the environment to influence the design is evident in how the structure appears to rise from the bluff, a balance of artistry and engineering that makes the property feel as if it’s floating above the Pacific.

At the core of Cunningham’s design for Crescent House is the interplay between light, space, and natural surroundings. The floor-to-ceiling windows are more than just architectural elements; they serve as frames for the sweeping ocean vistas, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors. Cunningham’s expertise in spatial dynamics is further emphasized through the home’s tiered design, which maximizes privacy while showcasing the most dramatic views from every angle. The home’s curved walls and flowing ramps echo the natural contours of the coastline, ensuring that every pathway, whether through the house or its outdoor spaces, offers a unique experience of movement and light. This attention to fluidity and form is a hallmark of Cunningham’s work, making Crescent House not just a residence but a living sculpture.

Cunningham’s focus on crafting spaces that evoke emotion and inspire is at the heart of Crescent House’s allure. The central courtyard, shielded by the home’s curved walls, offers an intimate sanctuary while the crescent-shaped pool serves as both a functional feature and an artistic statement. Each element, from the angular terraces to the frameless windows, is designed with intention, creating a sense of harmony between the built environment and the natural world. For Cunningham, Crescent House was an opportunity to design a structure that not only celebrates the beauty of its surroundings but also redefines luxury living through the lens of art. This approach has earned Crescent House widespread acclaim, including a feature in Architectural Digest and an appearance in HBO’s futuristic Westworld sci-fi series, cementing its status as both an architectural landmark and a rare piece of modernist design.