Isaacson Addition

The owners of this Harwell Hamilton Harris house, an exemplary modern house from 1940 designed by the celebrated disciple of Wright and Schindler, need to add a bedroom and office, as well as a bathroom, but didn't want to disrupt the original house they so love. Our answer is to excavate underneath the house and add a lower level which will still open up on the back hillside. A new stair and reconfigured entry area creates the connection from the existing house to the lower floor. By adding the lower floor, we are able to create a connection to the outside that didn't exist before. Other parts of the design will include a new master bath and closet, and reconfiguration of all outdoor patios and terraces to make this small house livable for a family with two kids. Harris designed the house using a strict grid pattern whose module will inform the new spaces too.

Status: Built
Location: Los Angeles, CA, US
Firm Role: Architect
Additional Credits: Photography by Undine Prohl.

A view of the new master bathroom from the master suite reveals an open and light space with blue glass tile and dark bamboo floors.

The bathing area designed as a tiled module insert seems to float upon the dark bamboo floors.

The bathroom attempts to complement and respect the original aesthetic of the house by incorporating floating volumes and spaces envisioned by Harwell Hamilton Harris.

A floating sink vanity helps reinforce Harwell Hamilton Harris’ original design aesthetic.

The bathroom windows include views of the Hollywood Hills and Silverlake; while soaking in the bathtub, the owners’ see only the Hollywood Sign, the Griffith Park Observatory and the mountains of Griffith park.