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Project posted by Kim Weiss

Venice House

View 27 Photos
Location
Los Angeles, California
Year
2012
Structure
House (Single Residence)
Style
Modern
Venice House at dusk. Interior and exterior lights bathe the modern house in a warm glow.
Venice House at dusk. Interior and exterior lights bathe the modern house in a warm glow.
A spiral staircase climbs the white metal all to the upper floor.
A spiral staircase climbs the white metal all to the upper floor.
A private outdoor living space and two-car garage are tucked underneath the compact house.
A private outdoor living space and two-car garage are tucked underneath the compact house.
The kitchen/dining/living space and a bathroom occupy the second floor, where exposed ceiling trusses and built-in natural wood cabinetry warm the otherwise crisp white interior.
The kitchen/dining/living space and a bathroom occupy the second floor, where exposed ceiling trusses and built-in natural wood cabinetry warm the otherwise crisp white interior.
Built-in cabinets make the most of every square foot.
Built-in cabinets make the most of every square foot.
The long kitchen counter doubles as food preparation and dining space.
The long kitchen counter doubles as food preparation and dining space.
Beyond the kitchen, glass panels at the open stair maintain the house's transparency.
Beyond the kitchen, glass panels at the open stair maintain the house's transparency.
Surrounded by windows on all sides, the interior is filled with natural light.
Surrounded by windows on all sides, the interior is filled with natural light.
Recalling the materials on the exterior, the interior juxtaposes white walls and ceilings with an abundance of warm wood.
Recalling the materials on the exterior, the interior juxtaposes white walls and ceilings with an abundance of warm wood.
To make the most of every square inch, there are just two interior walls and no hallways.
To make the most of every square inch, there are just two interior walls and no hallways.
To make the most of every square inch, there are just two interior walls and no hallways.
To make the most of every square inch, there are just two interior walls and no hallways.
The credenza by the kitchen and dining area also guards the open staircase against accidental falls.
The credenza by the kitchen and dining area also guards the open staircase against accidental falls.
The master bedroom is on the top floor, surrounded by views of Venice Beach.
The master bedroom is on the top floor, surrounded by views of Venice Beach.
The master bedroom's en-suite bath beneath sky-filled clerestories.
The master bedroom's en-suite bath beneath sky-filled clerestories.
The custom cabinetry houses the kids' closet and bathroom fixtures.
The custom cabinetry houses the kids' closet and bathroom fixtures.
Inside the custom "cubes" in the kids' bedroom area.
Inside the custom "cubes" in the kids' bedroom area.
Custom-made furniture on casters (left) lets the homeowners transform spaces from one use to another with ease.
Custom-made furniture on casters (left) lets the homeowners transform spaces from one use to another with ease.
Murphy beds give the kids more play space during the day.
Murphy beds give the kids more play space during the day.
These units serve many purposes. Here, board games are organized in an outer cabinet.
These units serve many purposes. Here, board games are organized in an outer cabinet.

7 more photos

Details

Square Feet
1390
Lot Size
700 SF
Bedrooms
3
Full Baths
2
Partial Baths
1

Credits

Posted by
Architect
Douglas Pierson, AIA
Interior Design
Youn Choi
Builder
Douglas Pierson, AIA, and Roman Reiterer
Photographer
Youn Choi
Awards
AIA Los Angeles Homes Tour
Publications
The Argonaut
New York Times
Cooking Light
California Home & Design

From Kim Weiss

Client/Owner:  Youn Choi and Douglas Pierson
 
Credits:

Architecture and Interiors:
Douglas Pierson, AIA, LEED AP, BD+C, and designer Youn Choi
pod architecture + design
201-A East Main Street, Carrboro, NC 27510
919-246-6466; doug@podand.com
www.podand.com

Structural Engineer:  Structural Design Plus, Sherman Oaks, CA
Mechanical/Plumbing:  Cornerstone
Construction Manager:  Douglas Pierson, Roman Reiterer
Models:  Douglas Pierson
Photography:  Youn Choi
 
Project Description

Venice House is a compact, three-story house in Venice Beach, CA, huddled among the neighborhood’s densely packed residences and detached garages. The sloping trapezoidal roof and white metal and warm wood exterior walls make it stand out in the crush of houses.
 
There were just 700 square feet on which to begin custom-designing a modern three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath house for this family of four. Since we couldn’t build out, we built up, stacking spatial needs vertically, starting with an open two-car garage and private outdoor living space on the ground level.
 
The kitchen/dining/living space and a bathroom occupy the next floor up, where exposed ceiling trusses and built-in natural wood cabinetry warm the otherwise crisp white interior. Surrounded by windows on all sides, the space is filled with natural light.
 
All of the bedrooms – the master with en-suite bath and two children’s bedrooms with a shared "Jack and Jill" bath – are on the top floor.
 
To make the most of every square inch, there are just two interior walls and no hallways. Spatial separations are implied through changes in structural millwork and glass. Center-pivoting doors allow individual spaces, such as bedrooms, to open into larger, combined family spaces.
 
The built-in cabinetry does double and triple duty in this ultra-efficient house. The credenza by the kitchen and dining area also guards the open staircase against accidental falls. A closet “cube” in the kids’ bathroom divides their bedroom space and houses bathroom fixtures. Murphy beds give the kids more play space during the day. And custom-made furniture on casters lets the owners transform spaces from one use to another with ease.
 
By establishing clear hierarchies in building materials, using innovative interpretations of roof requirements (the trapezoidal), and configuring open stairs and landings to interconnect floors, we created a parsimoniously modern home for four that’s affordable, sustainable, and ultra-efficient within just 1390 square feet of living space.

The house has been featured on an AIA Los Angeles Homes Tour.