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Floor plan of San Marino House by Fung + Blatt Architects

Fung and Blatt worked slowly on the project over five years. But it was a rhythm Mary and Carlton appreciated, as it allowed for the design to emerge in close dialogue with the site.

The pool house takes many different attitudes toward the landscape, with one end nestled in the treetops and the other cantilevering over the pool. “We think of it as a boathouse, a tree house, and a cave,” says Fung.

The roughly 1.5-acre property is dotted with giant, old-growth oak trees. “When people come here, they’re astounded,” says Mary. “It’s very peaceful—it feels like an oasis of calm and tranquility in the middle of L.A.”

The ceramics studio’s enclosure consists of a roof elevated off the original rafters, and glazing applied directly to shelves that are suspended between the original columns.

The ceramics studio was built on the posts and beams of an abandoned pergola from the old estate. Its new enclosure consists of a roof elevated off of the original rafters, and glazing applied directly to shelves that are suspended between the original columns.

In the living room of the main house, a sofa by Patricia Urquiola surrounds a Nathan Young coffee table, capped with a floor lamp by Achille Castiglione.

Fung + Blatt Architects updated a San Marino midcentury home originally designed by Calvin Straub. Besides renovating the main house, pictured here, the designers added a series of additional pavilions in the landscape.

Fung + Blatt Architects evolves a San Marino midcentury into a creative retreat that converses with nature.

Before: The 150-square-meter rooftop was transformed into three different usable areas: an outdoor kitchen, lounge, and dining area.

The custom vanity has an antique mirror above it.

The floors are Cocciopesto, a traditional and natural treatment made of small pieces of broken tile, pottery, and brick mixed with a lime binder. "We didn't want to use ceramic tiles,

Before: This structure was completely rebuilt to house a bedroom suite with a bathroom, and easy access to the revamped roof.

The grey tones on the wall are separated by a dark red smalto stripe. The faucet is from Officina Nicolazzi and the lights are Tooy.

Manuel designed the pedestal sink and had the consulting architect make specified plans for it. The stone is Italian red marble, called Rosso Tramonto.

Before: This previously empty room became a full bathroom.

The bed and bedding are all custom and locally made.

Before: The floors, walls, and ceiling were similarly redone in this room.

The galvanized steel shelving is from Situér Milano.