Exterior

The Gagarin House I in Litchfield, Connecticut, is home to a family of six, and features ample space for private or public gathering—including over 3,000 square feet of exterior terraces. (1955-1957)

When Austin-based firm Matt Fajkus Architecture was tasked with renovating this classic midcentury home, they sought to open up the interior—not only by unifying the common areas into an open-plan layout, but also by literally raising the home's roof. This strategy increased the ceiling height on three sides of the home, allowing for the insertion of clerestory windows to create a bright and airy open living space. "The raised ceiling maintains the original pitched roof geometry to stay harmonious with the existing gabled roof in the private zone," explain the architects in a statement.

A detached garage and guesthouse/studio creates a buffer between a busy street and the rest of the property, which includes the main house as well as a pool, sauna, and pond, so that life in the residence can feel more private and secluded.

“The pitched ceilings and ribbon of clerestory windows make the interior feel more spacious than it is,” notes Gooden.

The master bedroom also has its own personal outdoor terrace and lots of natural light.

The outdoor deck is perfect for al fresco dining.

The wood screen continues at the back of the house. The spacing on the slats was very carefully thought out so as to disguise the sheen of the waterproofing membrane beneath it.

On a hillside in Los Angeles, architect Clive Wilkinson created a three-story home for himself, his wife, Elisabeth, and their children.

The natural cedar cladding received a water-based penetrative stain that creates a bleached look. The maintenance-free effect will trend towards grey over time, gradually assimilating to its environment.

Taking advantage of the temperate California climate, Bridge House embraces indoor-outdoor living to the fullest. Several outdoor living and entertaining zones have been incorporated, while the large glass sliders at the interior courtyard completely disappear to invite nature in.

The ground-floor social spaces open up to a timber deck, which is used to extend the living room in warmer months.

Carved into the home’s mass are what Ong calls “exterior voids”: transition zones between the built and the natural that are painted white. The sectional and club chairs are from Kingsley Bate; the sliding glass door is by Western Window Systems.

The 13,000-square-foot hillside lot offers several Ipe wood decks for entertaining, as well as a 58-foot-long Zero Edge pool with integrated spa. The final result is a streamlined composition of intersecting lines that frame and emphasize the natural environment.

Paved stairs lead down to a lush lawn and the home’s main entrance: a pivoting front door that opens to a two-story atrium. Greenery dangles from planters integrated into the second floor, while additional pavers connect two sliding glass doors in the living room.

“Instead of using a typical frame system, we created frameless windows by burying aluminum channels into the floors and walls,” says Richard. “It kept our glazing budget much lower than normal.” The sofas feature custom upholstery by Inverse Project and HDM.