Upon buying this house, the clients only demand initially was to “remove the shutters on the front and to make it look a little more modern.” Because the house had seen several previous additions, there was not much area left to add additional square footage. The design challenge became trying to figure out a way to unify the space.
The solution became clear upon seeing the clients’ extensive modern art collection, which necessitated a gallery-like volume with large wall for displaying paintings. The great room became the main re-organizer of the house, functioning as a ‘living art gallery’. It was designed as a light box, letting in light from all sides and providing a 12 ft. high glass wall to a lush intimate courtyard. A neutral backdrop of primary materials (uncoloured smooth stucco, redwood and raw steel) highlighted the surrounding landscape.

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