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Tree House

 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Set within a naturally lush green setting in the Beverly Glen Canyon hillsides of Los Angeles, this complete renovation restores the integrity of an abandoned 1959 Bill Mack designed home with unique contemporary artistic flare. Through surgical replacement of its original wood structure, windows, doors, and decking, the renovation aimed to maintain the best of the original building detailing, while sensitively adding new cabinetry, doors, windows, floors, tiling, structure, and guardrails throughout. By combining traditional Vertical Grain Douglas Fir, Redwood, and Cherry with more contemporary stone, stainless steel, and metal materials – this modern home is in tune with contemporary building technology and design culture. Sustainable practices include the addition of dual-glazed windows, insulation, mini-splits, electric car chargers, and all new energy star appliances. Additionally, all new LED/Halogen recessed lights alongside classic and contemporary LED fixtures by Poul Henningsen, George Nelson, Verner Panton, and Bjarke Ingels create a striking atmosphere inside and out. A faded 1970s supergraphic on the front facade also proved a great inspiration. In keeping with our former employer’s William Turnbull’s and Charles Moore’s design aesthetic, SPARCHS studied the graphic designs of Barbara Strauffacher Solomon to create a new image for the front facade. Alongside a similarly matching shear-patterned custom water-jet aluminum guardrail, the new supergraphic proves the hallmark of a fresh new vibe for this contemporary, yet quintessentially modern, LA treehouse.

Barbara Stauffacher Solomon © Paul Kozal

Piazza d’Italia, Charles Moore; © Perez Architects

Principal Designer and Architect: Stephen Phillips, FAIA, Ph.D

Project Team: Erica David and Alex Fu

Consultants: Structural Engineer: Fabio Zangoli, Labib Funk + Associates

Energy Consultant (Title 24): Jeff Pollock TechLogic Energy Consulting

Construction: Gabriel Cruz; Robert Rex; A Sunrise Roofing, Inc