Gable Gable Gable

Our design aims to create cohesive exterior elevations by utilizing the gable as a unifying and organizational form. The gable roof is a ubiquitous cover, typically associated with domestic spaces and evoking a sense of "home". While a gable roof is well-suited for a simple rectangular plan, most contemporary homes consist of a mishmash of idiosyncrasies, resulting from responses to program or zoning restrictions. In fact, prevailing zoning envelope which kicks in from the side and the front of the property at 45 degrees, essentially make gables the default roof form. The gable often gets deployed awkwardly, not just providing physical cover, but metaphorical cover for poor design or exterior organization, resulting in mis-proportioned compositions and disjointed juxtapositions. Rather than resist with a sterile flat roof or other against-the-grain form, our project embraces the preferred form dictated by the zoning envelope. We trim back where we brush against the zoning planes and then telescope sub-gables below to encapsulate the porch and garage, as secondary and supportive elements for a balanced and proportionally organized elevation. The garage door is flush-framed and finished seamlessly to diminish its impact and primacy on the front yard and to prioritize the front porch and entry. We integrate the standing seam roofing material with the vertical siding, cascading down from the ridge through recessed gutters and hidden downspouts to achieve an ultra-clean appearance. The rear elevation is alternately organized around the negative space of the second-floor deck, which is a gable void that connects to the rear yard and pool via a set of exterior stairs. A roof deck is carved out of the gable to provide a high platform for views of the Santa Monica Mountains, while an accessory dwelling unit accommodates auxiliary uses. Stormwater is collected, pumped, and filtered through a filtration planter. Our design also prioritizes sustainability, with an all-electric house powered by a solar panel system. Heat pumps provide water heating and air conditioning, while cooking appliances are induction. Our design not only achieves a cohesive and elegant exterior elevation, but also incorporates sustainable features to minimize environmental impact.