20150 Gault St Small House

Project Description

The house is an infill building constructed within an unused private backyard space in Los Angeles, California. This backyard features mature Ficus and Palm trees, which have been incorporated into the house's design.

Taking advantage of the vast empty land available, the structure sprawls horizontally forming a low one-story building that is very characteristic to Los Angeles and southern California in general.

A corridor with windows and natural light connects the two parts of the house, allowing the existing trees to remain undisturbed and creating a patio around them.

Within these constraints, some spaces have a clear function, while others are more flexible. For instance, the kitchen opens into a room with French doors, which can function as a living space, bedroom or office. The rear section of the house can serve as a master bedroom or a combined living and dining area.

Resources have been allocated to sustainable features like solar panels and a rainwater capture system. The sloping roof channels water to a central point on the patio, forming a butterfly roof design that collects water in tanks. The butterfly roof design has a midcentury modern flavor popular in Los Angeles.

Simple cost-effective materials like stucco and wood construction were used to meet budget requirements.
The exterior is painted with a Mondrian-inspired color palette, referencing the Eames House nearby. While Mondrian's work is from a different time and place, its color scheme fits with the spirit of Los Angeles.