When Annie Ritz and Daniel Rabin of Los Angeles-based architecture studio And And And were invited to take on a residential redesign for a newly married couple, they knew the project's main challenge would be its size. The original house, located in the city's Atwater Village neighbourhood, was a compact bungalow, built in the 1910s. From its scale and arrangement, it was clear that it had been conceived for different times and needs.
The structure had an interesting back story. ‘We think it was originally built by a WW1 work program that had female construction crews construct small houses in LA,' say the architects. Still, it was entirely out of sync with modern life, as the rooms were too small, there were not enough bathrooms, the garage was not large enough for modern cars, and the kitchen – now, often the heart of a home – was placed in a dark, out-of-the-way corner.
In order to solve their spatial problems, the team decided to move the main entrance from the long plot's narrow end to the middle of the site, creating an ‘entry tower'. This allowed them to avoid surface-consuming corridors and to dedicate the maximum amount of square footage to the main living spaces.
Now, all rooms are bright and comfortable, and the house is composed of three bedrooms (one with its own walk-in wardrobe), two bathrooms and a separate laundry, as well as a spacious, open-plan living space that encompasses sitting, kitchen and dining areas.
An exterior in simple board and batten siding has been redesigned in a custom pattern and tactile, natural materials inside offer a sense of warmth and welcome texture. Large doors allow for views across rooms and out towards the green garden, through an extensive glazed facade in the living room.
‘With every project, we always look to create a beautiful sequence of spaces that connect to the site, play with natural light and ultimately create a series of unique atmospheres for living,' say the architects. ‘Our studio's interests are always evolving within those larger goals. When we were designing this project we were exploring simple construction techniques as a way to create textures and patterns that introduce a finer scale of detail, so that while the house may relate to the site, the interior starts to relate to the person inside.'
INFORMATION
-
Zaha Hadid Architects’ new project will be Miami’s priciest condoConstruction has commenced at The Delmore, an oceanfront condominium from the design firm founded by the late Zaha Hadid, ZHA
-
This Beirut design collective threads untold stories into upholstered antique furnitureBeirut-based Bokja opens a Notting Hill pop-up that's a temple to textiles, from upholstered furniture to embroidered cushions crafted by artisans (until 25 March 2025)
-
The Peninsula Hotels broadens its artistic horizons with Victoria and Albert Museum partnershipThe Peninsula Hotels and Victoria and Albert Museum announce a multi-year collaboration set to produce world-class art experiences around the world
-
Zaha Hadid Architects’ new project will be Miami’s priciest condo
Construction has commenced at The Delmore, an oceanfront condominium from the design firm founded by the late Zaha Hadid, ZHA
-
A West Austin house invites you to commune with natureWestview Residence by Alterstudio, a West Austin house among trees, makes the most of large windows and open-air decks in a verdant setting
-
Apple’s new Miami store employs the principles of biophilic designApple’s first mass-timber store connects shoppers to nature while echoing the Art Deco architecture of Miami
-
The World Monuments Fund has announced its 2025 Watch – here are some of the endangered sites on the listEvery two years, the World Monuments Fund creates a list of 25 monuments of global significance deemed most in need of restoration. From a modernist icon in Angola to the cultural wreckage of Gaza, these are the heritage sites highlighted
-
Reflections from Los Angeles: a local writer's personal account of the LA firesArchitecture writer and local resident Michael Webb reflects on the devastating 2025 Los Angeles fires and offers his personal account of the events of the last two weeks in California
-
LA Mayor Karen Bass outlines her plan for rebuilding the cityFollowing the devastating LA wildfires, which have destroyed more than 12,000 structures, the city’s mayor has outlined her plan for reconstruction
-
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Weisblat House, a Usonian modernist Michigan gem, could be yoursFrank Lloyd Wright’s Weisblat House in Michigan is on the market – a chance to peek inside the heritage modernist home in the countryside
-
Cabin House is a simple modernist retreat in the woods of North CarolinaDesigned for downsizing clients, Cabin House is a modest two-bedroom home that makes the most of its sylvan surroundings
