Homes designed by Design Universal, Touraine Richmond Architecture, XTEN, Translation of Space, and Sant Architects
Well, for the first time in CA Boom history, L+L missed the first day of home tours... sorry kids. But not to worry, we have days 2 and 3 covered. And besides, we've already Clipped links to 2 of the 5 homes from the first day -- the Living Homes design by Ray Kappe as reported by Curbed (previously on L+L here and here) and the LA Times article covering the Beitcher residence designed by W3 Architects.OK then, on to day two... overall this was a solid tour line up. Visually, day two featured variations on a theme with materials consisting of white plaster, steel and concrete... with one loud exception, pretty obvious from the thumbnails at right, eh? Let's break it down in chronological order (click project name for photo galleries):
- Sharkey Residence
Design Universal (Robert Thibodeau) - One-Window-House
Touraine Richmond Architecture - M House
XTEN Architects - Chroma Color House
Translation of Space (Andrew Mangan) - AK Live Work
Sant Architects
Sharkey Residence
Design Universal (Robert Thibodeau)
Construction was still in progress -- a few interior finish details and exterior decks and landscaping yet to be completed -- but the house still showed well. Nice finishes, clean detailing and a minimal aesthetic. The lower level consisted of one large open living space, with the kitchen tucked towards the rear behind the stair and bathroom. Two steps separate the main living space from the dining area and kitchen. Clerestory windows throughout the house provide illumination and privacy. Some of the tour goers seemed to be confused about the placement of a large corner window in the master bedroom... the sill was around five feet from the floor which provides privacy while the high ceilings allow for ample views of sky and tree tops. The house connects inside and out with large pivoting, sliding and french doors opening to terraces. Like many new homes in west LA, this house features a nice roof deck to expand the outdoor living space on a tight lot.
One-Window-House
Touraine Richmond Architecture
This home shares the lot with an existing structure, taking advantage of the zoning to provide two units on one lot. The lower level features a unified living space and kitchen with walls of glass on three sides. A stairway zigs up one side of the house to the second and third levels where bedrooms and an office loft are located. Materials used are simple and readily available: corrugated metal siding, chain link railings, OSB (oriented strand board), coroplex, etc. The rear house contained an office space and utility room on the ground floor with the extra unit above. A second level deck spanning between the two structures creates a covered car port.
I especially appreciated the landscaping which made excellent use of native California plants such as Ceanothus, Prunus illicifolia, Elymus condensatus... that's all Latin for "environmentally conscious."
M House
XTEN Architects
This project began as the addition to the rear of a painter's studio to an existing bungalow, but expanded to include a full exterior remodel of the existing house. Like the One-Window-House, the M House makes use of simple materials -- corrugated metal and chain link, white plaster and drywall, Douglas fir doors, aluminum roll up garage doors, etc. Limited use of custom Douglas Fir cabinetry and simple interior detailing blends the old and new as an aesthetically clean and economical solution. The existing compartmentalized house is opened up to the exterior with the addition framing a central courtyard which for me was the most redeeming part of the home. A second level terrace and third floor roof deck also expand the exterior living spaces.
Chroma Color House
Translation of Space (Andrew Mangan)
This house has a lot going on... from the color scheme and materials to the shifting planes and glazing patterns. For me it felt like a bit too much going on for its own good. And yet the house does a lot of things right too with environmentally sensitive building practices, good space planning, and lots of natural light and ventilation. The first floor featured bedrooms and a family room with adjoining courtyard. The main living areas, kitchen and master bedroom are located upstairs which take advantage of light and breezes. A roof deck expands the outside space with access from the living room. With all of the green features in the home (concrete with fly-ash, solar panels, sustainable woods, etc.) I was disappointed that the landscaping utilized such thirsty species for LA's arid climate displaying a disconnect in the green philosophy here.
AK Live Work
Sant Architects
I was quite taken by this loft building located on Venice's vibrant Abbot Kinney Boulevard. The minimalist white plaster building has a nice street presence with a simple yet assertive facade and massing with nice use of positive and negative space. The unit we toured featured an entry at the sidewalk between commercial spaces, with a stair way leading up to a private entry court on the second level which features floor-to-ceiling glazing on three sides to the living spaces. The flat also features another internal courtyard towards the rear as well as an expansive top floor terrace with fireplace, great views, and an exterior stair which connects directly to the living room. The floor plan, use of exterior spaces and windows, and the subtle yet refined detailing makes this flat feel incredibly spacious for its size.
