Interior Decorating
Urban Spa - Shubin + Donaldson Architects have remodelled this house to soak up its Malibu shore front location. Sliding doors and windows allow the residence to be open plan or sectioned off at will. The site elements of the highway and beach challenged, and dispatched with charming results.
Program
The initial task was to renovate the original 1976 dwelling into a contemporary urban retreat, whilst adding some structural reinforcement. Bought in 2001 for it's location, the owners, together with the architects, went on to extensively remodel the house into an urban oasis. Concious efforts to negate the road behind and emphasise the beach in front are evident throughout.
Design
The overall concept for this 2,900-square-foot beach-side modern house was to transform it into an urban spa-like retreat. The house is perched along Malibu’s Pacific Coast Highway, and features access to the beach at the back. Sheltering the house and providing a hard façade is the garage to the rear. As an area of transition between the street and beach, an interior entry courtyard behind the garage, laid with rectangular cement pavers and bordered by smooth river rock and tufted grasses, introduces the primary design element of the home — a seamless union between interior and exterior spaces. Through crisp linear architecture, a split level plan, and visual access throughout the house brings in the beach.
From the entry courtyard, a line of sight straight through the living room takes in the sea views. Dragging your attention away, to the left is a bay window type dining room, accented by a white grid of window panes and shadowed from the noon sun. This window grid is echoed by the geometric pattern of the cabinets and shelves that lead into the minimal kitchen. True to the open plan, the kitchen seamlessly overlooks the main living space, allowing distractions whilst cooking. 
The interior design palette of natural woods and limestone, white walls and fabrics, frosted and clear plate-glass creates a crisp and airy environment to appreciate the Pacific Ocean setting. A true Urban Spa,the elements were hand picked to portray the theme of air, light, and water.
Ground-floor living room and adjacent sitting room offer shadowed relief from the sunlit terraces beyond, with cooling white and dark wood tones in the furniture and materials. Double-paned windows, which open onto the first-level terrace, offer several ways for freedom, permitting unrestricted views onto the ocean while buffering sound (from the highway). 
The upstairs rooms continue the overall theme of air, light, and water with repeating materials and colours. The well-dressed master suite faces onto a second large terrace with pocket-glass doors that fold away, converting the stepped upper terrace into a sleeping porch reminiscent of designs by Schindler and Neutra (and last weeks post - David Hertz! [Image]).
For reclining on the teak chaises, billowing fabrics can be drawn above and alongside the terrace to shield the sun and wind.
With the clients goal being a boutique like retreat to entertain guests rather than as a reclusive beach getaway, opulent bright-white materials: Limestone and high gloss surfaces were used to give that crisp light filled feel. In fact, the owners found it too 'bling'. The house was cool crisp and far too full of light, with the white being overwhelming sometimes. Aware of this, Shubin + Donaldson had already incorporated exterior shutters and shades, which compensate in the southern facing rooms. Then in terms of layout, a simple North facing Media room was added with minimal windows at the rear, providing a further space to retreat in summer, and a little getaway for all. 
Openness and transformation are themes throughout and are most expressive in the master bath. Cool, ocean-blue frosted glass lines the walls and windows (that face another house on these sought-after lots). Behind the glass swing doors are the toilet and shower. Three layers of floor-to-ceiling glass form a translucent door that closes the space off from the bedroom, or opens it up to the master suite, porch, and Pacific Ocean beyond. Dark wenge wood - used throughout the house as an accent - encases the tub, vanity, and spacious closets. The rich brown colour gently contrasts with the limestone counters and floors. Double mirrors are placed on poles in front of the frosted glass, rather than set into a wall. To name-drop, the tub is designed by Philippe Starck.
Layout
First level: living room, dining room, den area, terrace with beach access, powder room. Upper level: home office, guest room and bath, powder room, media room, and master suite with bathroom/walk-in closet, closet office, outdoor sleeping porch.
Plans
Architect: Shubin + Donaldson Architects - Robin Donaldson, AIA, Principal and Russell Shubin, AIA, Principal
Interiors: Audrey Alberts, interior design consultant
Commenced: 2001
Photos: Tom Bonner Photography
Article & Imagery: Courtesy - Taylor & Company (many thanks)
via: Taylor & Company
Interior Decorating
Model Rebuild - When remodelling their own residence Angela Brooks and Lawrence Scarpa could never have imagined the press and accolades that would be bestowed upon a build designed around their own very personal needs. Economical, solar powered, solar water heating, nearly off the power grid and with a fitting yet aesthetically contrasting extension. A rear extension that embraces the house's 1920's bungalow origins and pays homage to its design sake, the Paul Rudolph Umbrella House of 1953.
Name of Project: Solar Umbrella, Venice, California, USA Information courtesy of: Pugh + Scarpa Architects
Overview and Plot
The lot, in Venice California, typical of the area, has two road frontages. This allowed the house's orientation to be flipped, the crux of this build. With the living area and kitchen behind now facing the larger rear garden, an additional bedroom was added upstairs, and the second bedroom converted to an office. Most of all, the flip orients the house to the southern sun allowing the sun's energy to be stored in the concrete eastern and western walls and floor. 
Design
The extension has the majority of its glazing along the warmth facing southern wall, with northern glazing opening up for cross ventilation. The architects describe it as "global regionalism," Californian indoor outdoor flow, wrapped in modern technology using recycled and sustainable materials, offsetting the use of concrete with gains made through its thermal storing properties that lead to lower power bills. Overhangs regulate the sun in its strongest months and double glazing with a low-E film , framed in aluminium with thermal breaks, control the wind and indoor environment. To save on materials the solar panels themselves form the outer canopy and Solar Umbrella, shading the house. With the rear set up, insulation was blown into the walls and floors of the original wing and operable skylights in the kitchen and bathroom provide natural light and ventilation whilst maintaining privacy.
Upstairs
In winter, warmth is provided through radiant in-floor heating powered partly by one of three solar hot water panels. Two are used to pre-heat the domestic hot water before it gets to the gas-fired hot water heater and the other to heat the pool. These panels halved the gas use of the house which is now 2.5 times as big! As usual there was initial outlay for the solar water heaters and panels, which 10 years.
Living area extension
Although the double height extension sets the house apart from its neighbours, the fact that it is at the rear facing the alley, contrary to most of the houses on the block, mean its northern facing traditional façade, lets it fit in with the Joneses. The services are concealed up the side of the house, and a bike rack just inside the new front gate provides mobility to the nearby shops (apparently a novelty in the US).
Exterior
Well thought out landscaping incorporates gravel, to allow the plot to drain and prevent it from heating up like large paved areas do, and planting is drought tolerant, with species that appeal to the abundant hummingbirds in the area. The new pond and pool also help regulate the temperate and composting was also included as part of the landscape design.
Layout
A relatively simple layout provides for both open plan living and more intimate work and rest areas.
Downstairs the office, with access to the main street, sits beside the second bedroom and main bathroom on the eastern wall. The living room and kitchen take the southern and western walls respectively. As well as allowing heat to rise up and out the upstairs windows, the industrial like steel stairs link the downstairs area to the more private master bedroom with en-suite.
The Results
The house now provides an additional open plan living area ideal for the couple's son, connecting outdoor play and space indoors. The Solar Umbrella plays its dual role, keeping the house cool and shaded in summer and warm through its solar panel composition in winter. Utilitarian, the house is built to be lived in and enjoyed rather than as a show-piece 'typical' modern build. This to me is what makes this a home.
Plans
Architect: Pugh + Scarpa Architects
Completed: April 2005
Total project cost excluding land: US$390,000.00
Usage: 3 permanent occupants 105 hours/week, 15 visitors/week at 3 hrs per visit average.
Interior Decorating
Re-planned rebuild - A seven year Hiatus meant a rethink to an original Pugh + Scarpa project, that lead to a loft like wonder in Studio City, overlooking the San Fernando Valley, CA.
Overview
Initially commissioned in 1994, the residence was put on hold by the owner, shortly after demolition and the foundations were set. Seven years on, a visit from the owner to their offices the project leapt back into action for Pugh + Scarpa. But with 7 years of council legislation changes and architectural progress, they pushed hard for a redesign.
Thinking it through and mulling over the existing plans, the client agreed, yet within limits.
Their task was set
Take a remodel/addition to a 1970’s ranch style house, fit it into the new council regulations, keep within the original foundations (to save time ripping up existing work and avoid new applications to the council) and create something befitting to modern architectural philosophy. Their main challenge was how to alter the design that reflected an outdated philosophical approach to architecture. How could the house be redesigned reflecting the architect and client's maturity on a ten-year-old footprint?
The answer
Remove almost all of the previously proposed interior walls and transform the house into a pavilion-like structure, thus letting the outside in. This allowed the client to take better advantage of a limited and restricted building area while capturing extraordinary panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood Hills.
Layout
The house was conceived as two units, a larger living sleeping unit, and a separate studio/office area, forming a canopy of sorts to the all important outside extension of the living area. Linking the living area to the outdoors are two huge walls of glass. Custom 22ft (almost 7m) high panels slide back to create a singular open space. Private rooms are treated almost as lofts, capturing volume and views while maintaining privacy.
Street side, the house presents a sophisticated and restrained façade. Panels of perforated copper discreetly provide privacy for the occupants, as well as creating a strong vertical texture that minimizes the building’s bulk. Only a few details hint subtly at the unique character of the residence.
Once inside however, the sheer drama of the space becomes immediately evident. Fully open towards the panoramic views, the living area has little need for artwork, as the valley below entertains. Enhancing the connection to the outdoors are limestone floors which extend from inside to outside and into the lap pool that runs the entire length of the house, creating a horizon line at the edge of the view. To compensate for this openness, the living room furniture is sunken beside an open fireplace, giving the room warmth and intimacy. This intimacy is enhanced through the use of copper and cherry.
To the east of this open space is the tree-house studio. Connected to the house by a bridge, the space provides an isolated retreat for fork or contemplation. Below, it provides shelter and shade for the patio outdoor area during the summer months.
To the west, the house takes on a more intimate nature. The kitchen and breakfast area sit ahead of the two car garage, with the master bedroom and en suite above. The bedroom, connected to the open plan bathroom can be opened to the living room below, and features a sunken tub to take in the full extent of the upstairs views to the valley.
Whimsical touches and unexpected finishes give the house a warmth that belies its theatrical austerity. The apparent openness is perhaps even more remarkable when one realises that the home is in fact relatively compact – the impression of space is a product of impeccable proportions, rather than sprawling square footage. By placing objects and materials “outside the frame,” a new frame of reference deepens our sense of perception. Art does not reproduce what we see; rather it makes us see.
Plans
Architects: PUGH + SCARPA ARCHITECTS
Project’s Formal Name: Redelco Residence
Location of Project: Studio City, California
Total Square Footage: 4,700 sq. ft.
Completed: 2005
Personnel in Firm to be credited: Lawrence Scarpa, AIA - Principal- in-Charge. Angela Brooks, AIA, Jackson Butler, Silke Clemens, Vanessa Hardy, Ching Luk, Project Architect, Gwynne Pugh, AIA, Lawrence Scarpa, Katrin Terstegen - Project Design Team.
Engineering: Gordon Polon – Structural, Helfman Halloossim - MEP
General Contractor: RJC Construction – John Cordic
Photography: Marvin Rand
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