Built on two combined West Hollywood lots that once housed small single-story bungalows, this family home by Amit Apel Design is a stunning example of how the smart integration of natural elements into a design can completely transform its character. Starting from a property surrounded by high shrubs, the architects chose to make the most of the lot and mold it into a green paradise, integrating garden elements into the core of the house at the same time. Various nooks of the home's shape hug trees and shrubs, and window space is maximized to provide views directly out at plant life. All around the constricted lot, grass sprouts from pavement gaps, and trees rise up to give a natural environment to this city house. All of this nature comes with practical benefits, too, providing a wall of plants for privacy.
The house is arranged on three levels, two of which follow the traditional indoor arrangement of a family home. The kitchen and living room are on the bottom floor, with three bedrooms and bathrooms above. What makes this house unique, however, is its system of elevated decks, of which there are four in all. Each bedroom has access to its own outdoor space, and the entire roof of the house has been turned into one large outdoor living room for entertaining guests or just enjoying the sun. The design of this residence proves that no matter the size of the property, any house can maintain a connection to the environment.