A 1965 Craig Ellwood house in the LA neighbourhood of Los Feliz has been given a new lease of life with an extensive restoration by Los Angeles architecture studio Woods + Dangaran. Called Moore House, the home unites the best of what California modernism has to offer; midcentury interiors, open plan spaces, clean and sharp volumes that are softened by the use of wood, architectural gardens and glazed expanses that afford long views of the cityscape beyond.
When the team was awarded the commission, the house was in a bad state, Brett Woods and Joseph Dangaran, recall. The two co-founders of the boutique architectural firm have a wealth of high quality, modernist-inspired homes under their belt, such as their recent new-build Carla Ridge Residence. Now, ‘the shell of the home is upgraded to preserve the longevity of the structure and to meet contemporary performance standards,' they explain.
At around 1700 sq ft, the house is not very big, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in drama, heritage and design value, and architectural flair. An open plan interior offers a flowing sequence of communal areas with a double aspect – looking both towards the entrance, and the rear garden with decked terrace and swimming pool. Two double bedrooms occupy the two ends of the long, linear floorplan.
Inside, the architects kept the spirit and style of the original interior, using natural materials and saving any existing detailing possible. Earth-toned ceramic tile, ribbed glass, brass-plated hardware, dark marbles with golden veining, black granite, and honey-toned teak create a colour and texture palette that feels luxurious, yet warm and welcoming.
Working with the familiar features of California modernism, Woods + Dangaran breathed new life into this neglected Ellwood house – now the home of a Los Angeles family – helping to preserve this piece of West Coast architecture heritage.
INFORMATION
-
Put these emerging artists on your radarThis crop of six new talents is poised to shake up the art world. Get to know them now
-
Dining at Pyrá feels like a Mediterranean kiss on both cheeksDesigned by House of Dré, this Lonsdale Road addition dishes up an enticing fusion of Greek and Spanish cooking
-
Creased, crumpled: S/S 2025 menswear is about clothes that have ‘lived a life’The S/S 2025 menswear collections see designers embrace the creased and the crumpled, conjuring a mood of laidback languor that ran through the season – captured here by photographer Steve Harnacke and stylist Nicola Neri for Wallpaper*
-
Croismare school, Jean Prouvé’s largest demountable structure, could be yoursJean Prouvé’s 1948 Croismare school, the largest demountable structure ever built by the self-taught architect, is up for sale
-
Jump on our tour of modernist architecture in Tashkent, UzbekistanThe legacy of modernist architecture in Uzbekistan and its capital, Tashkent, is explored through research, a new publication, and the country's upcoming pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025; here, we take a tour of its riches
-
We explore Franklin Israel’s lesser-known, progressive, deconstructivist architectureFranklin Israel, a progressive Californian architect whose life was cut short in 1996 at the age of 50, is celebrated in a new book that examines his work and legacy
-
A new hilltop California home is rooted in the landscape and celebrates views of natureWOJR's California home House of Horns is a meticulously planned modern villa that seeps into its surrounding landscape through a series of sculptural courtyards
-
The Frick Collection's expansion by Selldorf Architects is both surgical and delicateThe New York cultural institution gets a $220 million glow-up
-
Remembering architect David M Childs (1941-2025) and his New York skyline legacyDavid M Childs, a former chairman of architectural powerhouse SOM, has passed away. We celebrate his professional achievements
-
At the Institute of Indology, a humble new addition makes all the differenceContinuing the late Balkrishna V Doshi’s legacy, Sangath studio design a new take on the toilet in Gujarat
-
How Le Corbusier defined modernismLe Corbusier was not only one of 20th-century architecture's leading figures but also a defining father of modernism, as well as a polarising figure; here, we explore the life and work of an architect who was influential far beyond his field and time
