This 6 credit studio revisited the Sea Ranch, a renowned planned community and icon of 1960’s and 70’s regionalist modernism a few hours north of San Francisco, California. 50 years after its inception, the community is facing significant changes, including a generational transition in its collective ownership, shifting needs of visitors and the local community, etc. These are exacerbated by its status as an only partially realized idea without either the core or the density that was originally designed.

The community ideals are further in flux with the extended closure and potential renovation of the Sea Ranch Lodge, Gift Shop, Restaurant, and Post Office, which, to many are the public face of the community, and also mark its southern end along highway 1.

Students were tasked with finding new solutions for this property and the area surrounding it, that might provide a way forward that is in keeping with both its current and historic context.

The group made an extended visit to the region, visiting several hybridized public spaces, an exhibit on the sea ranch at SF moma. This was followed by an extended visit to the sea ranch. They in a home on site, visiting several notable precedents and documenting needs for the community.

They designed solutions that might revitalize the southern heart of the community; reconsidering current housing and rental stock, and developing commercial, recreational, and cultural amenities. The final projects ranged from an artisanal live-work market for local craftspeople, a mixed used neighborhood, a salt baths and hostel, an events center and brewery, and an artist in residence program.

“Immersion Workshop”

Lawrence, Scott.

AIA Small Project Practitioners Journal, Vol 63

2015

The background research and format for this studio drew heavily from the research I have done into immersive learning strategies, as well as my experience as the co-founder and president of Immersion Workshop, which began in 2011 at the Sea Ranch with Immersion Sonoma Coast.