THE BRIARCLIFF VIEW HOUSE
The design focus for this 2,800 sq. ft. contemporary home centered on utilization of space on this small Hollywood Hills lot. It also focused on maximizing the city and canyon views. The upper main level is an open kitchen, living and dining area that integrates with a balcony for outdoor eating. The kitchen features a large corner window framing the canyons. The summer heat is mitigated by the dual pane, low 'e' glass and overhangs throughout the house. The spiral staircase that winds from the first floor to the drought tolerant roof garden acts as a thermal flue when the inside heat escapes through the pop up double dome skylight. The lower level is one large flexible space that can be reconfigured with the use of custom bifold wall systems. The back exterior is mostly curtain glass walls with views from downtown to the ocean and a large cantilevered concrete deck that floats above the lower hillside. We used caissons and grade beam technology to accomplish this. The exterior is a smooth stucco and western cedar finish. The water features start at the front mailbox, continue into the entry, and finish with a rear waterfall, softening the sounds of the city.