[ IKONIKO ] House on Kilrenney Avenue

Architects: IKONIKO
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA

Structural Engineer: Lukas Quach, Axial Engineering, Van Nuys, CA

Landscape Design: Laurel Stutsman

General Contractor: Becker General Contractors

Project area: 367 sqm

Project year: 2007 – 2009

Photographs: David Lena Photography

Nestled in the heart of Cheviot Hills, this house on Kilrenney Avenue sits deftly on its hillside site. IKONIKO partnered with the builder Becker General Contractors to develop this as a speculative project in this upscale west Los Angelesneighborhood. An existing single story house and disconnected garage,built in 1960, served as the starting point of the design. In order tobe environmentally sensitive, the design preserved the existingbuilding’s exterior walls, floor slab and foundations. This alsoallowed the existing home to take full advantage of the dramatic viewsfrom its corners.

Becausethe other existing houses in the area sit closer to the street, thecurrent zoning allowed this new design to be built in the front portionof the site. This allowed the architecture to have a dramatic, modernexpression while mitigating the sloping front yard and maximizing theprivate rear yard. A new entrance, placed at an intermediate level,connects the renovated garage to the new living room with a newstaircase. This new living room serves as the main viewing platform inthe house. Frameless glass walls soar to 12 feet (3.7 m), wrapping theroom on three sides, taking in the expansive views of the lush foliagein the neighborhood. A sleek, wood paneled ceiling hovers over theliving room and the kitchen, connecting the spaces architecturally,while containing the crucial recessed lighting and ventilation ducts.The centrally located kitchen overlooks the main living room and isable to take advantage of the views to the south while maintaining adegree of privacy with a change in level.

Ascendingto the main level, one is greeted with an expansive view to the rearyard. Glass doors slide away to seamlessly integrate the living spaceswith outdoors. A generous patio space under the master bedroom providesa cool place to relax in the shade while taking in the Californiasun. The glass walls at both ends of the house are designed to be opento the gentle sea breezes, allowing the house to naturally ventilatedmost days of the year.

Inorder to preserve the views to the rear yard, an open steel staircasedrips down from the upper level, inviting visitors to come upstairs.The cantilevered treads are clad in solid walnut, matched to thekitchen cabinets. The stair leads past the double height glass wall,allowing one to take in the view of the minimalist landscape in therear courtyard. At the top, the master suite moves into the rear yard.This private retreat features a generous open plan with free-standingclosets and private balcony.

Themaster bath is a minimalist expression in marble and glass.North-facing windows over the two-seater tub allow soothing light toenter, but are placed high enough to maintain privacy. An upper levelmedia room spills out with a large balcony over the living room below.This balcony connects across the front of the house to two of thebedrooms. Deep overhangs shade these southern-facing windows, keepingthe house cool.

from  archdaily