Archinect
Yu2e, Inc.

Yu2e, Inc.

Culver City, CA

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Gable Gable Gable

This project aims to create cohesive and elegant exterior elevations by utilizing the gable as a unifying and organizational form. The gable roof is almost  ubiquitous and often associated with domestic spaces and evoking a sense of "home". While a gable roof is well-suited for a simple rectangular plan, most contemporary homes consist of a mishmash of idiosyncrasies resulting from responses to program or zoning restrictions. In fact, the prevailing zoning envelope which kicks in from the side and the front of the property at 45 degrees, essentially make gables the default roof form. The gable often gets deployed awkwardly, not just providing physical cover, but metaphorical cover for poor design or exterior organization, resulting in mis-proportioned compositions and disjointed juxtapositions. Rather than resist with a sterile flat roof or other against-the-grain form, our project embraces this preference and accentuates it with a dash of joy and fun in its arrangement. At the front, we trim back where we brush against the envelope at the upper floor and then telescope sub-gables below to encapsulate the porch and garage, creatingsecondary and supportive elements for a balance and proportion. The garage door is flush-framed and finished seamlessly to diminish its impact and return balance to the front yard and priority to the front porch and entry.  The rear elevation is alternately organized around the negative space of the second-floor deck, which is a gable void that connects to the rear yard and pool via a set of exterior stairs. We integrate the standing seam roofing material with the vertical siding, cascading down from the ridge through recessed gutters and hidden downspouts to achieve an ultra-clean appearance. A roof deck is carved out of the gable to provide a high platform for views of the Santa Monica Mountains, while an accessory dwelling unit in the back accommodates auxiliary uses. The project also prioritizes sustainability, with an all-electric house powered by a solar panel system. Heat pumps provide water heating and air conditioning, while cooking appliances are induction. Stormwater is collected, pumped, and filtered through a filtration planter. This project not only achieves a cohesive, modern and comfortable home, but also incorporates sustainable features to minimize environmental impact.

 
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Status: Built
Location: Los Angeles, CA, US
Firm Role: Architect and Engineering
Additional Credits: Landscape Architect: Groundswell
Builder: BTC Custom
photographer: Taiyo Watanabe