As the sun sets, igniting the sky with brilliant hues of orange, yellow, and deep purple, there is a remarkable place to end the day at the deck of Dean and Monica Meredith’s Del Mar home.
Here, as twilight descends and, if fortune smiles, a green flash appears as the sun sinks into the sea, the view stretches from the Del Mar Fairgrounds to Solana Beach, unfurling along a two-mile stretch of pristine beachfront that leads to Del Mar Village.
Named Hale Kai, meaning ‘house by the sea’, the Merediths’ residence reflects their fondness for Hawaii.
Navigating narrow winding streets to the east of Camino Del Mar, visitors arrive at a driveway that slopes down toward a distinctive house designed by Dean, an architect celebrated for his unique homes throughout Del Mar Village.
With a design philosophy inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, Dean emphasizes long horizontal lines adorned with diagonal accents and sharp angles.
The striking exterior of Hale Kai marries cedar, stone, smooth stucco, stainless steel, and vast glass expanses.
Above the mahogany garage door, two 20-foot cantilevered, wedge-shaped roof overhangs crafted from Alaskan yellow cedar converge at an apex skylight, creating a porte cochère.
These overhangs seamlessly transition into eaves that extend along both sides of the house, providing shade for the entry walkway and small, triangular oceanview decks outside the bedrooms on the south side.
Tucked into the slope, the home’s concrete bottom floor functions as both foundation and an additional living space.
Recalling their first visit to the property, Dean reflects on the initial appearance, which didn’t inspire much hope.
“A broken-up asphalt driveway was all you could see from the street,
image source from：sandiegomagazine
