Contemplating the design for a collection of urban beach homes at Martha Cove guided a strategy treating each home as a refuge, a place where pathways for sea breezes ventilate each home, with generous balconies expanding the link between inside and out. A robust building constructed from durable materials is laid out around a landscaped central courtyard ensuring the process of moving around the complex is itself outdoors, via protected walkways. Evoking the simplicity of living by the beach, this central lightwell enables the ‘back of house’ of each dwelling to benefit from natural light and openable windows for fresh air. Private entrances incorporate secure breezeway foyers, to wash down sandy feet, where the beach towel hangs, and lean the pushy up against the wall.