Brutalist California beach house by Sebastian Mariscal hits the market

This brutalist hideaway in Cardiff-by-the-Sea by Sebastian Mariscal is an architectural marvel – strikingly contemporary while appearing to be hewn from the craggy cliffs off the Californian coast.

Dubbed Phoenix House, the three-bedroom dwelling scooped Mariscal his first of three Record House designations when it was completed in 2012, and its 5,616 sq ft plan evolves entirely around expansive ocean views. Board-formed concrete interiors open onto outdoor spaces, from a rooftop deck with an outdoor kitchen to breezy balconies, a courtyard garden and a pool – with views of the Pacific Ocean.

Kelly Howard of Compass is listing the Brahm Road property for $10m. Its interiors celebrate 21st-century materiality and minimalism: think tactile concrete and slate flooring softened by walnut and mahogany cabinetry and windows.

Mariscal’s use of light also deserves special attention: rooflights, clerestory openings and apertures are used to curate views and channel sunshine into the deepest recesses of the five-bedroom home. This creates spectacular shadowplay and highlights the grain of the building’s concrete planes.

Cardiff-by-the-Sea is located in San Diego County and is famed for its surfing scene. The town’s shops, restaurants and beaches are all within strolling distance of Phoenix House, which is tucked in the Composer District. See more in the gallery above.