2ray | Los Angeles, California

Reverse trajectories

The 370m2 residence’s architectural form follows two existing walls with reverse trajectories, with the aim to guide the user into a dynamic pre-entry space that acts as a threshold between the interior and exterior.

Circulation Space

The design intention is to create an experiential circulation route throughout the building. Large window openings and thin dividers lead from the courtyard to the entrance, while a water feature compliments this slow sense of transition and establishes a connection with the pool and hillside view. Angular volumes and linear voids on the roof, subtly separate the open-plan spaces and allow natural light to enter the interior.

Spatial Organization

The communal spaces are organized around a fireplace, which acts as an element that conceals the existing structural columns. Each room is oriented towards a different section of the property: the kitchen faces a private garden to the east; the living room leads to the pool and an exterior lounge, and the master bedroom hovers over the garden. A sloped overhang provides shading, continues into the interior space and is interrupted by consecutive skylights creating beams of strong light in the living and dining space, while the kitchen, hallway and bedrooms are illuminated more subtly. The roof’s construction was one of the most challenging aspects of the design due to its size, shape and integration with the existing structure.

Material Palette

Parts of the façade are cladded with fiber cement panels in white color, to ensure that the residence complies to all the necessary fire regulations. In contrast, dark stone is used to clad the walls creating a sense of depth to the space and separating the vertical from the horizontal elements.