South African architects Saota are an established force in the market for upscale, contemporary, single family houses. They are popular for their modernist-inspired approach, which fuses strong connections between indoor and outdoor living. Now the Cape Town-based practice has just completed its first offering across the ocean – Stradella, a newly renovated villa in Los Angeles’ Bel Air.
The project was a contemporary reintepretation of an existing 1970s residence. The client requested a modern home that would be more in line with the region’s renowned modernist styles; yet the original structure was awash with Spanish references. The architects got straight to work, stripping down the existing decor and ornamentation, and keeping just the structural bare bones – its timber skeleton.
From there, they rebuilt it with Californian Modernism in mind, and in particular, references to the famous Case Study Houses programme of the 1940s, 50s and 60s. The internal gutting and reconfiguration also significantly increased the internal surface of the home, giving the architects the opportunity to redirect its vistas.
Now, the house turns its back slightly to the street and main entrance pathway, for privacy reasons, while opening up towards the LA skyline panorama beyond the rear of the plot. Richly landscaped outdoor spaces roll out from the house, seamlessly connecting inside and outside with paved terraces, a swimming pool and planting.
The residence spans three levels. The ground floor features all the main living spaces, including open-plan kitchen and dining spaces and several living rooms – such as formal and informal lounges and meeting rooms – that spill out to the al fresco sitting and entertainment area. A generous, modern staircase leads up to the top floor, which houses several private family and guest rooms, such as the bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and walk-in wardrobes. The basement is reserved for the spa and gym, while also including facilities and staff areas.
Combining all the mod-cons for contemporary living while offering a modernist feel rooted in the region’s architectural history, this residence has it all. Cosy family spaces and luxurious interiors are not forgotten, but it’s immersion in the surrounding landscape is impressive with open terraces offering residents views of the full Los Angeles cityscape, from Downtown to the mountains beyond Century City. §
The project is the firm's first foray into the Los Angeles residential schene.
The client wanted a contemporary style for their residence, so the architects stripped down the structure to its bare bones and erased all traces of its original Spanish influences.
Now, the house features a minimalist aesthetic and is orientated towards the open views beyond the grounds of the property.
For privacy reasons, the structure turns its back to the main road.
Inside, the architects designed the space with a nod to Californian Modernism, referencing the Case Study Houses.
Warm and natural material tones throughout offset the large expanses of glazing, creating a welcoming home.
A generous staircase leads up to the top floor, where the bedrooms are located.
INFORMATION
For more information visit the website of SAOTA
-
After the floods, Valencia’s design community unitesValencia's design community launches ‘Auction for Action’ and 'Interioristas en Acción' (IED), initiatives to raise money for those effected by the floods in Spain
-
In Helsinki, Pauline Curnier Jardin has created the grotesque amusement park of her dreamsFrench artist Pauline Curnier Jardin celebrates otherness at Kiasma, Helsinki’s Museum of Contemporary Art
-
A celestial New York exhibition showcases Roman and Williams’ mastery of lightingLauded design studio Roman and Williams is exhibiting 100 variations of its lighting ‘family tree’ inside a historic Tribeca space
-
Soviet brutalist architecture: beyond the genre's striking imageSoviet brutalist architecture offers eye-catching imagery; we delve into the genre’s daring concepts and look beyond its buildings’ photogenic richness
-
Tour a warm and welcoming modernist sanctuary set on the edge of a Los Angeles canyonThe Rustic Canyon Residence by Assembledge and Jamie Bush brings together the very best of mid-century influences, with an added slice of contemporary Californian craft and style
-
This New York brownstone was transformed through the power of a single, clever moveVoid House, a New York brownstone reimagined by architecture studio Light and Air, is an interior transformed through the power of one smart move
-
A new Texas house transforms a sloping plot into a multi-layered family homeThe Griggs Residence is a Texas house that shields its interior world and spacious terraces with a stone and steel façade
-
Light, nature and modernist architecture: welcome to the reimagined Longwood GardensLongwood Gardens and its modernist Roberto Burle Marx-designed greenhouse get a makeover by Weiss/Manfredi and Reed Hildebrand in the US
-
A bridge in Buffalo heralds a new era for the city's LaSalle ParkA new Buffalo bridge offers pedestrian access over busy traffic for the local community, courtesy of schlaich bergermann partner
-
Tour this Bel Vista house by Albert Frey, restored to its former glory in Palm SpringsAn Albert Frey Bel Vista house has been restored and praised for its revival - just in time for the 2025 Palm Springs Modernism Week Preview
-
First look: step inside 144 Vanderbilt, Tankhouse and SO-IL’s new Brooklyn projectThe first finished duplex inside Tankhouse and SO-IL’s 144 Vanderbilt in Fort Greene is a hyper-local design gallery curated by Brooklyn studio General Assembly
