Exteriors

The structure boasts a roof garden replete with turbines and solar panels, as well as fifteen geothermal wells sunk underground.

An updated modular prefab in Norway's in the Snarøya peninsula.

Exterior

Located in an affluent suburb of Los Angeles that's known for its expansive views of the Pacific Ocean, the Henbest House is a rejuvenation of a California classic. The existing structure was built in 1966 and originally designed by the iconic midcentury-modern Architect Pierre Koenig—who is known for his case study houses. The new design upgrades the building envelope and MEPs, updates the finishes, and gently renovates and expands the floor plan to accommodate the current owners, while still respecting the home's architectural roots.

The design of this Pacific Palisades home was driven by the neighborhood's hillside ordinance. After studying various versions of the property, the architects decided that by dropping the street facade by four feet, they would be able to achieve a more linear design. A rooftop deck allows the homeowners to enjoy panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.

The living room wing cantilevers 26 feet off the main structure.

These prefab ADUs are the perfect solution for those in need of a separate home office.

The triangular window from the bedroom looks out towards the street. The window includes a custom blind for shading. A zinc awning covers the front door.

Hutchins and Montague worked with Samuel H. Williamson Associates Landscape Architecture on the garden, which is planted with sword ferns, vine maple, and wild ginger. “When we look at it from the bedroom, it’s our private little forest,” Montague says.

Perforated metal screens, one of which doubles as the front door, shield the storefront window from the street.

Moreland House

Two converted shipping containers (left) now house offices for Shoup’s design/build firm. “Perhaps the most successful aspect of turning this into a place to live and an office rather than just have this shop space was moving it towards real indoor-outdoor living,” he says. Taya Shoup, a landscape designer, has refined her husband’s vision for the property with a courtyard and plantings. Photo by building Lab inc.

Shoup built a connector between the shipping containers and covered it with salvaged redwood. Glass panels from old sliding doors offer ample illumination in the workspaces. Photo by Muffy Kibbey.

The interior marble flooring and exterior granite surfacing blend well to complement the spare white modules. Both materials were chosen with climate in mind: granite because it both absorbs less heat and is easy to clean, marble because it cools down the interior.

One of the biggest challenges of the project was keeping the open courtyard cool enough for the residents to enjoy it. The architects used a low impact water feature to create ambient cooling and two native flamboyant trees to provide shade.

Ahmad Djuhara’s drastic redesign of the typical suburban Indonesian home is certainly unusual, and yet the house appears far from grandiose.

One side of the building contains two simple bedrooms and a bathroom. The other, larger side houses the open-plan living area, kitchen, covered deck with fireplace, and additional bedroom. The deck-hallway that runs the length of the building is partially covered, but the decking boards and inset fiberglass door panels allow air and light to penetrate. The architects wanted to suggest that moving between the different living spaces involved a trip through nature, as it does in traditional camping.

The addition, which has cypress paneling and a metal roof, is united with the renovated 1920s bungalow via a glass pavilion.

To circumvent planning regulations in an English historic park site, PAD Studio created a prefab structure that can be moved by crane. “The whole building is based around a steel frame, which provides us with the stability to be able to top-lift it easily,” explains designer Ricky Evans.