Hollywood Hills Residence

by Griffin Enright Architects

This 2,000 sq.f. residence has views over Hollywood and out to the Pacific Ocean. Through relatively simple interventions, we were able to effect a complete transformation of the existing house. By removing only four interior walls at the ground floor, relocating a stair, and adding 2 rooms stacked on top of each other; we extended the interiors and created an open living space. Additionally, natural light and views were enhanced to maximize the apparent volume of space, blurring the relationship between interior and exterior and connecting the front and rear yards. The intervention of two over-sized window boxes which are large enough to stand in, create a new front façade, while providing a dramatic extension of the master bedroom suite and views to the City and ocean beyond. The window boxes cantilever to above a front courtyard behind an existing garden wall and create an overhang for the new entry. A stair is added that ascends a half-flight through the raised library to a landing connected to the backyard, and then switches back to arrive at an upper, sky-lit landing at the bedrooms above. The stair becomes a new central element connecting the stepped spatial volumes of the residence to the site, while simultaneously acting as an internal vertical courtyard that brings natural light and ventilation into the open center of the house. The vertical movement of the residence culminates at the roof via a submarine-like ladder through a skylight to provide the owner with a secret rooftop deck that affords views of Hollywood and the Pacific Ocean beyond. An elegant palette of minimal, black and white materials serves to enhance the illusion of open and expansive space. The library is a room within a room, and this effect is enhanced by a material inversion; the living room has ebony, fired oak floors and a white ceiling, while the elevated library has a white epoxy resin floor with an ebony oak ceiling. The contrasting palette creates an interlocking condition which yields an apparent expansion of the space.

Photo Credit: Benny Chan, Fotoworks