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Mahogany detailing, a flat roof and a cantilevered overhang in stucco and slats gives the guest house a more modern feel.

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La Mesa Residence

This project has two parts- a restoration of a historic monument for the city of Santa Monica- an adobe house designed by the celebrated architect John Byers in 1923, and a new major addition. Only the front part of the original house still stands, and these rooms and facade are being restored. Later additions, from the 50's to the 70's, are being demolished. The new house is designed around a central courtyard, which has a fountain and gardens, and is itself bordered by a continuous covered porch. There is an interweaving of interior and exterior spaces, so that the gardens and patios extend into the house, and all major rooms of the house access not only the central courtyard, but have extensions of terraces, patios, and smaller, more intimate outdoor spaces

The site was terraced into two levels--the main house is on the upper, street level. The lower level contains a modern but contextual guest house, terraces and gardens, and a 70ft. long infinity edge lap pool.

The house has radiant heat throughout, solar panels on the roof where they can be hidden and a passive cooling system because of the cross ventilation of the central courtyard.

Status: Built
Location: Los Angeles, CA, US
Firm Role: Architect

Built around a courtyard, similar to a traditional Spanish hacienda, the front door leads to a covered vestibule that is open to the air and the views.

The guest house opens up to a covered terrace.

The courtyard was created with a central fountain, a decomposed granite surface and native plants.

This covered outdoor patio area integrates the exterior and interior details.

A glassed-in walkway leads to the master suite.

The master bathroom integrates stone, wood, and light with its Douglas fir vaulted ceiling, a freestanding walnut cabinet, a limestone counter and floor, and custom skylights.