Compound Addition
-
The Arnolds’ architecture studio—right next door to their new home—occupies a 1941 structure by Cliff May.Photo by: Catherine Ledner -
A wall of burnished concrete block protectively isolates their indoor and outdoor living areas from the busy road.Photo by: Catherine Ledner -
Flanking the concrete wall is a carport and an entrance leading past a small, cedar-clad ancillary building for art projects and laundry.Photo by: Catherine Ledner -
With exposed industrial materials for finishes, the interior includes hand-troweled, waxed concrete floors, Douglas fir beams, and sealed-plywood ceilings.Photo by: Catherine Ledner -
The open kitchen’s island, topped with soapstone, doubles as a bookcase for the living room.Photo by: Catherine Ledner -
Separated only by large expanses of glass, the interior and exterior landscape flow together.Photo by: Catherine Ledner -
The courtyard acts like an outdoor living room, where the Arnolds’ daughter, Josie, plays freely, safe from nearby traffic. The family dines here most of the year at the custom-designed wood-and-steel table. The picnic table set reappropriates the century-old eucalyptus tree that once grew on the site.Photo by: Catherine Ledner -
The steep canyon wall rises directly behind the house.Photo by: Catherine Ledner -
Josie’s tepee playhouse stands on a platform, where she and her friends erect sets for their theatrical productions.Photo by: Catherine Ledner -
From their bedroom, Hadley and Peter can gaze out at the canyon wall or up through a skylight at the clouds and stars.Photo by: Catherine Ledner -
The Arnolds consider Francis and Paschal the patron saints of their home, representing moderation or austerity tempered by generous hospitality.Photo by: Catherine Ledner -
In the master bedroom, a removable window provides egress, as required by code.Photo by: Catherine Ledner
Categories:
More
Domestic Democracy
In a code-happy L.A. suburb, how do you break the mold without breaking the law? Architects Alice Fung and Michael Blatt steer clear of anarchy with a little democratic design.
Level Headed
To convert a musty mid-century house with a nonsensical floor plan into a modern and space-efficient family home, three intrepid designers played a bit of architectural Tetris.
A Narrow Victory
Living small is par for the course in New York City, but accommodating a family of four in under 700 square feet rarely looks as effortless as in this storage-smart renovation.
Solar Inspiration
A husband-and-wife architect team proves a house can be good for the environment—and look great too.
Add comment