The objective is to create a sustainable environment, in accordance with the strict building codes of Hancock Park.
The existing house had few salvageable element that were used to reflect and simulate the most common architectural styles of this highly sophisticated and wealthy old neighborhood.
Client is a landscape designer. His requests:
summermaster bedroom on the ground floor; winter master bedroom on the sun filled second floor; two guest bedrooms; separate, one bedroom guest house for his mother; two car garage in the basement; rainwater tank; smaller living room and a large kitchen/dining areas; study/library;
The site is above street level, yet it is completely flat starting at the building line. We are excavating the grounds in the rear yard, stepping down ten feet, creating terraced garden and a very private pool and fire pit area. By opening the adjacent basement wall, we have created a nice size multiuse room: poolhouse/entertainment, music, cave/grotto.
To ensure that the landscaping is inseparable from interior and architecture, inside and outside flow seamlessly without changes in floor coverings.
Except for the front garden, which is highly regulated by the neighborhood codes, most of the planting are that of an edible garden.
Incorporated all 2,940 square feet allowed for the building. Basement areas are excluded.
House is built using passive solar principles (as much as building code allows), so there's no a/c.. South and west sides of the house have only high clearstory windows and big overhangs that don't allow summer sun in. It's planted with deciduous trees which allows winter sun to reache deep inside.
The floor is heated throughout, with most of the energy coming from roof solar panels and wind turbines.

*Entire project is executed using only a freehand drawing, without use of any rulers except for the scale.