Architecture in LA: sandcastles, swimming pools, pavements and post-modernism

Architecture | 25 Jun 2018

Post-modernism grew up here on the boulevards between Sunset and Venice, behind nameless shop-fronts on the strip; it learnt its limits, abused them and reached a mid-life crisis. The city sprawled, we followed: houses in the Hills, Downtown rising – speed up to see the city from the Freeway, freewheeling, keep dreaming. While you’re at this stand-still, let us hit you up with a spurting syringe of architecture – from concrete blocks and sheaths of glass, Béton Brut to the Broad, sandcastles and swimming pools, from Echo Park to Bel-air – let this city get under your skin. Those dusty dreams still might come true, unless your demons find you first...

Barrington Residence designed by Eric Rosen Architects in Brentwood

Barrington Residence
Eric Rosen Architects

The clients that approached Eric Rosen Architects to design their family home, the Barrington Residence, were keen to realise a property that relished in the southern California climate, whilst fulfilling their desire for an indoor/outdoor living experience. A keen admirer of Gordon Matta-Clark’s ‘Splitting’, Eric Rosen Architects imbued a design inspired by the architect-artist’s seminal cut buildings.

Writer: Luke Halls

Barrington Residence
Eric Rosen Architects

Rolling down a hillside, the original home occupying the plot stimulated very little connection with its surroundings – which includes views of the Getty Museum to the north and vistas to the east. Inspired to resolve the disjointedness the home projected, Eric Rosen Architects sliced into the descending slope, creating an entry to the main level spaces now set deeper into the hillside. The topographical cut provides sprawling views of the surrounding landscape, courtesy of full-height glazing, finished overhead by a glass ceiling.

Writer: Luke Halls

Barrington Residence
Eric Rosen Architects

The hillside incision crawls downwards, featuring a cantilevered concrete staircase that leads to a communal gathering space which is flanked by the master suite, further bedrooms and a guest suite. The pool house appears to rise out of the ground, which foreshadows a series of ascending and descending planes – interior and exterior living spaces crossing boundaries between roof and yard, yard and deck, deck and interior space – which culminates in a secluded light well and zen garden.

Writer: Luke Halls

Ánimo South Los Angeles Charter High School, by Brooks + Scarpia

Ánimo South Los Angeles Charter High School
Brooks + Scarpa

Brooks + Scarpa has designed new facilities for Ánimo South Los Angeles Charter High School, following the unfortunate burning down of half of the campus as the result of a faulty air conditioning unit. The most visually striking addition to the new structure is the 20 ft yellow metal wall, which wraps around the building’s exterior and forms a central courtyard at the heart of the facilities.

Ánimo South Los Angeles Charter High School
Brooks + Scarpa

18,000 sq ft in size, the space was designed to reflect the school’s ethos of being a safe environment for study and socialising. Cost-effective in production, the perforated anodized aluminium façade maximises security, enhances privacy and filters natural light and ventilation throughout the new rooms. The new facilities include 11 new classrooms, two new science labs, administrative and counselling offices and more.

Exterior of The Residences at The West Hollywood Edition, by John Pawson, Los Angeles

The Residences at The West Hollywood Edition
John Pawson

Private residences and the unparalleled services and amenities of a high class hotel combine at one of the most highly anticipated Los Angeles residency projects to date. 20 residences range from one to four bedrooms in size, and are modern and comfortable, reflective of the building’s location at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Doheney Drive.

Interior of The Residences at The West Hollywood Edition, by John Pawson, Los Angeles

The Residences at The West Hollywood Edition
John Pawson

Pawson’s signature architectural style of pared down, understated luxury is recognisable in warm timber and neutral colours, creating a seamless, serene and minimalist environment. Outside, long terraces wrap around the building, offering an abundance of outdoor space to the residents. The project is pinned for completion in late 2018.

Exterior of Casa Perfect, by Rex Lotery/David Hyun, Los Angeles

Casa Perfect
Rex Lotery/David Hyun

Former home to Elvis Presley and encompassing panoramic LA views, expansive space and light and a neat Hockey-style pool, furniture design brand The Future Perfect moved into this mid-century modernist Trousdale Estates build and redesigned it into a 3,000 sq ft showroom space.

Photography: Pia Riverola

Interior of Casa Perfect, by Rex Lotery/David Hyun, Los Angeles

Casa Perfect
Rex Lotery/David Hyun

Redesigned by architect David Hyun, full height windows and details dating back to Presley’s domestic tenure provide the perfect backdrop for The Future Pefect’s expertly chosen pieces, perpetuating a sophistic aesthetic effect that revels in ‘vivid celluloid dreams’.

Photography: Pia Riverola

Interior of the Fitzpatrick-Leland House, by Robert Schindler, Los Angeles

Fitzpatrick-Leland House
Robert Schindler

Perched at the top of Mulholland Drive, at the intersection of the city’s mountain drive and the twisting thoroughfare of Laurel Canyon, the famed Fitzpatrick-Leland house was built as a spec house by Rudolph Schindler to attract similar development in the 1930s.

Fitzpatrick-Leland House
Robert Schindler

The building is now owned by the MAK Center for Art and Architecture, and is hosting a series of exhibitions relating to the history of the home. Participating designer Pamela Shamshiri now occupies the home, which she recently restored.

Exterior of James Jannard’s Béton Brut home, by iDGroup, Los Angeles

James Jannard’s Béton Brut home
iDGroup

A recent addition to his property collection, James Jannard, ex-owner of the Oakley eyewear brand, commissioned iDGroup to design this 18,000 sq ft concrete and aluminium home atop a cliff in Trousdale. The neighbourhood possesses a regulation preventing the construction of buildings above the first storey, and so the home provides a span of vantage points looking over the sprawling urban vista thanks to its elongated length.

Photography: Joe Fletcher

Interior of James Jannard’s Béton Brut home, by iDGroup, Los Angeles

James Jannard’s Béton Brut home
iDGroup

Jannard trusted the iDGroup team to take the lead in designing the home, which is designed symmetrically with an open living space, flanked by service areas to one side and the guest suite and master bedroom to the other. Walls are stripped out inside, leaving a forest of 96 oversized columns that give the space a surprisingly homey feel.

Photography: Joe Fletcher

James Jannard’s Béton Brut home
iDGroup

An elliptical car park leads to the central lounge space which looks over an infinity pool. Beyond the pool, the sprawling Los Angeles cityscape sits, reflected in a glass partition that rises out of the floor by the pool.

Photography: Joe Fletcher

Cafe space at John Anson Ford Theatres, by Levin & Associates Architects, Los Angeles

John Anson Ford Theatres
Levin & Associates Architects

One of Los Angeles’ oldest performing art centres dating back to 1920, the John Anson Ford Theatres complex received a major renovation and new on-site construction in 2017, costing $72.2 million and left in the safe hands of Levin & Associates Architects.

Amphitheatre at John Anson Ford Theatres, by Levin & Associates Architects, Los Angeles

John Anson Ford Theatres
Levin & Associates Architects

Sensitively restored, original elements such as the poured concrete entranceway (designed to resemble the gates of Jerusalem in 1931) and turreted concrete towers flanking the amphitheatre stage were given a new lease of life. Seating was replaced, and the concrete tiered deck repaired and waterproofed.

John Anson Ford Theatres
Levin & Associates Architects

Much of Levin & Associates’ work involved adding function and technology to the theatrical relic, bringing it into the 21st century. A new, curved, three-storey building with a loading dock, administrative offices and public terrace answers many practical difficulties the complex faced.

House in Trees, by Anonymous Architects, Los Angeles

House in Trees
Anonymous Architects

Featured in the Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2014, Anonymous Architects also designed this Echo Park residency, House in Trees. Aptly named, a tree runs through the middle room, which belongs to the clients’ children and is lined with treehouse bunk beds. Anonymous Architects, looking to preserve the hilltop the house sits on, chose to work the tree into the design.

Photography: Spencer Lowell

As originally featured in the October 2016 issue of Wallpaper* (W*211)

Interior of House in Trees, by Anonymous Architects, Los Angeles

House in Trees
Anonymous Architects

Several entrances are accessible to the house, with differing ceiling heights adjusting to a different pitch. Rooms bleed into each other with an effortless flow, but can also be sectioned off quite easily. Additionally, custom bookshelves form a staircase to be sat on for reading, and living spaces are compact and make good use of space.

Photography: Spencer Lowell

As originally featured in the October 2016 issue of Wallpaper* (W*211)

Exterior of Summitridge, by Marmol Raziner, Los Angeles

Summitridge
Marmol Raziner

A private residence in Beverly Hills designed by Marmol Radziner, Summitridge rests on a steep slope that rises over downtown LA, with views of Century City, the Getty Center and the ocean to the west.

Photography: Roger Davies

Interior of Summitridge, by Marmol Raziner, Los Angeles

Summitridge
Marmol Raziner

The owners requested a home with views from every room, as well as a design that could accomodate their grown children when they visit. An open approach with an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living was also important to the owners, with ‘an emphasis on exterior dining and entertaining against a natural colour and material palette’.

Photography: Roger Davies

Summitridge
Marmol Raziner

A series of interlocking boxes are terraced into the actual rock, which creates a lot of outside space, including a 54 ft saltwater infinity pool at the rear of the property. The terracing answers the problem of the site’s tricky slope, framing the striking views as per the owners’ specification.

Photography: Roger Davies

Exterior of Cajrati Crivelli House, by Felicity Bell, Los Angeles

Cajrati Crivelli House
Felicity Bell

London-based architect Felicity Bell designed this Bel-Air residency, a 6,053 sq ft site surrounded by lush greenery. The house is designed as a series of stacked boxes, punctuated by a strong roofline, built seamlessly into the Bel-Air hilltop.

Photography: Joe Fletcher

Interior of Cajrati Crivelli House, by Felicity Bell, Los Angeles

Cajrati Crivelli House
Felicity Bell

A modernist southern Californian design influence is at play throughout the house, with natural light taking centre-stage thanks to tall windows, white walls and towering portions of marble. A fireplace in the main room, meanwhile, creates a chic yet inviting SoCal ambience.

Photography: Joe Fletcher

Cajrati Crivelli House
Felicity Bell

Clients Alessandro and Debrina Cajrati Crivelli hired Bell to design the property four years prior to moving in. Alessandro, who works in real estate, found this sprawling, untouched plot of land to build his dream house on. Bell’s familiarity with her clients produced a two-way trust, making her prepared for the challenge of her first US new-build property.

Photography: Joe Fletcher

Exterior view of the Petersen Automotive Museum, by KPF, Los Angeles

Petersen Automotive Museum
KPF

The Petersen Automotive Museum was revamped in 2015 by Kohn Pederson Fox, at $90 million. The building resembles a shape shifting, if not lop-sided, contemporary American football stadium (amongst other readings), basking in post-modern gladiatorial glory.

Photography: Chang Kim for KPF

Petersen Automotive Museum
KPF

The building’s Hot Rod red core is wrapped in swirling metallic ribbons meant to evoke Robert E. Pedersen’s automotive magazine publishing past, and, more generally, California’s love affair with ‘car culture’. This external skin sits of an existing structural system, much ‘like the body of a car mounted to its frame’, explain the architects.

Photography: Chang Kim for KPF

Exterior view of The Broad, by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Los Angeles

The Broad
Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Eli Broad’s contemporary art museum, The Broad, opened in 2015 on Grand Avenue in Downtown LA. Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the $140 million project contains around 2,000 of Broad’s contemporary art pieces, as well as storage, conservation facilities, offices, an auditorium, and an adjacent restaurant and park.

Photography: Benny Chan, courtesy of The Broad and Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Interior view of The Broad, by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Los Angeles

The Broad
Diller Scofidio + Renfro

The museum takes the form of an eroded structure, covered by a ‘veil’ of tapered, honeycomb-shaped fiberglass reinforced concrete panels. This form wraps around the building’s heart, the ‘vault’, which contains storage for the prodigious collection behind heavy concrete walls.

Photography: Benny Chan, courtesy of The Broad and Diller Scofidio + Renfro

The Broad
Diller Scofidio + Renfro

The third floor contains the building’s highlight: the 35,000 sq ft, 23 ft tall gallery space. Glowing with rhythmic, controlled natural light from huge scooped and angled skylights and repeated cuts in the veil, the space has a mesmerising impact, aided by the lack of columns thanks to giant steel girders hidden above.

Photography: Benny Chan, courtesy of The Broad and Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Exterior view of Brother & Sister House, by Anonymous Architects, Los Angeles

Brother & Sister House
Anonymous Architects

Ingeniously designed in outwitting building regulations and rules, Anonymous Architects’ Brother & Sister House, 200 sq m in space per volume, floats above the ground with the aid of concrete blocks. Inserting large windows into the thick cedar-clad walls increased the houses’ internal space by 10 per cent, transforming the punched-out wood into pieces of furniture the owners can use.

Interior view of Brother & Sister House, by Anonymous Architects, Los Angeles

Brother & Sister House
Anonymous Architects

Protruding bay windows reach out and embrace the landscape, allowing residents to feel part of their surroundings. Similarly, a rectangular shape cut out of each box creates a sheltered outdoor living area, useable come rain or shine.

Brother & Sister House
Anonymous Architects

Inside, the architects create the illusion of a much larger space with the use of the same white oak for the floors, cabinets and doors. The houses are entered via the top floor and a narrow entrance corridor. Downstairs, natural light is in abundance, passing through the bathroom and flooding into the hallway.

Exterior render of Gardenhouse, by MAD Architects, Los Angeles

Gardenhouse
MAD Architects

In the brief, this design from Ma Yansong at MAD Architects seeks to create a balance between humanity, the city and the environment. Representing a return to simplicity and an organic and harmonious lifestyle, Gardenhouse features 18 distinct residences designed with the environment in mind.

Render: courtesy of MAD Architects

Gardenhouse
MAD Architects

Gardenhouse sits in Beverly Hills, seamlessly showcasing the coexistance between nature and architecture. Icorporating a vertical green wall, secret garden and reflecting pool, the building is its own living and breathing entity.

Render: courtesy of MAD Architects

Architecture in LA: sandcastles, swimming pools, pavements and post-modernism

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