The California Modern House was a non-descript 1920's single-story home on a narrow lot in Pacific Palisades. The owners decided to replace with a contemporary two-story home on the same footprint. Its cubist composition provides multiple exposures to each room, maximizing views and natural ventilation. Simple, modern detail throughout the house achieves warmth and character through the use of natural woods and stone. This natural palette is also reflected in the attitude of the owners, who insisted that a gigantic Jacaranda tree be saved. As it was in the way of new foundations, the house was engineered to bridge the roots, preserving the tree as a focal point. Wood of the original house's front porch was salvaged and milled to create a new trellis above the front entry.

2500 SF
Completed 2004

Photographs by Daniel Ray