J. Herbert Brownell
(b. 1916 – d. 2005)

The Compact House, Pacific Beach

From Practical Builder, November 1963

Unusual Building Solution for 25-foot lots

Every Western builder knows that availability of land - and proper use of land - is becoming increasingly important to his own future. There are few 25' lots left in the West, and, unfortunately for the builder, too few communities will sanction them today.

But the narrow lot house can be a livable, salable product if it is designed carefully. With the right planning, it can even offer the necessary Western amenities of outdoor living.

Finding a way to pack livability and economy into a house designed for a 25' lot isn't easy. And to come up with a package that has real sales appeal makes the problem stickier. Architect J. Herbert Brownell did the job, though, for developer Byron Web, La Jolla Calif.

Webb has a predilection to narrow lots, and has made a practice of searching them out, then building a residential package that fills the needs of those whose space and budget requirements are low.

The piece of land on which these houses were built was a typical sleeper. It had been zoned 25' over 40 years. the individual lots are 125' to 135' deep and all had a view.

Planning for view and outdoor living...

First problem was to get the houses up high enough to capitalize on the view. This was done by pushing them as far as possible. The first problem was to get the houses up high enough to capitalize on the view. This was done by pushing them as far as possible back on the up-sloping lots, and locating carports on the back side, accessible to an existing alley.

From La Jolla Light, February 22, 1962

The compact theory has come to San Diego house building.

It's more than a theory now. It's a fact in a neat row of eight house on Agate street on the slopes north of Pacific Beach.

Each house is no more than 17 feet wide, outside measurement, and is situated on a 25 foot lot. Bt the lots are 125 feet dep and the elongated homes have 1,203 feet of floor space, split levels, and a view from every room.

The unusual housing project is is the work of Pearce & Co., which means a joint venture by three men - Byron B. Webb Jr., Edwin E. Wilson and Kenet Pearce.

Webb was an assistant manager of a branch bank until he combined an interest in what he terms "a returning trend to row houses" with faith in a market for the unusual design and an opportunity to acquire suitable lots. His partners are a real estate salesman (Wilson) and a securities broker and realtor (Pearce).

"There seems to be a returning to row houses," Webb said, "because of the high cost of land. Here we have combined a narrower frontage with a modern design and almost complete privacy from neighbors."

The houses, finished outside in pre-treated cedar, have a living room and deck, kitchen, half-bath and laundry on the lower level. On the upper level is the bedroom, bath and den convertible to a bedroom or guest room.

Privacy is obtained by clever location of windows, some with opaque glass, in relation to the adjacent house and by an extended wall at one end of the deck.

The property line bisects the required eight-foot span between houses but under pre-arranged easements each buyer will trade four feet on one side for four feet to his neighbor. Thus each is equipped with a private patio just off the house's midsection.

The architect was J. Herbert Brownell, engaged deliberately because of his experience with narrow building lots in Newport Beach.

"We believe the architect was done a remarkable job in providing privacy in such a compact setting," Webb said.

The two-way slope of the land affords each occupant an unobstructed view over the roof of a neighbor. Under the elevated rear section of the house is a two-car port and a storage room housing also the heating plant and in some cases the laundry connections.

The price is just under $20,000. Fergin-Griffin Co. is the builder.

"We believe," Webb said, "there is a market for such a compact - midway between a conventional home and apartment living - among couples and individuals living alone. Four of the eight houses have been sold and we have lots on which to build eight more."