Designed for a young family, this 7,200-square-foot house wraps around a central courtyard to summon both light and privacy on a typical suburban lot. Its formal footprint also sets up a tantalizing progression meant to pull people through the rooms. “We try not to celebrate garage doors and front doors,” says principal Brett Woods. A muted garage faces the street, but visitors arrive through a gate in the private side yard, then step into an entry hall that he calls the “compression zone.” From there the house unfolds along an axial path: living room, courtyard, and family room on the left; dining room and kitchen on the right. Fitted with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors, all three zones open to the atrium, and the family room and kitchen have direct access to the backyard—an ideal setup for keeping an eye on the kids.
“The layout is simple, but there are so many things people can grab onto and appreciate,” Brett says. “We use natural connections to trees, outdoor space, and water elements to bring people through spaces.” Upstairs, a spacious terrace also directs the primary bedroom’s gaze outdoors.
Slender, unpainted white exterior brick plays off the elegant interior palette of white oak floors, walnut paneling, luxe onyx, and boldly patterned marble in the kitchen and baths. The judges pronounced it “well done.”
Citation
Architect/Interior Designer/
Lighting Designer: Woods + Dangaran, Los Angeles
Builder: Dana Benson Construction,
Westlake Village, California
Landscape architect: Chris Sosa,
Los Angeles
MEP engineer: Bartef Yoosephiance & Associates, Tarzana, California
Structural engineer: CW Howe Partners, Culver City, California
Casework: Model Millwork, Los Angeles
Project size: 7,200 square feet
Site size: 0.21 acre
construction cost: Withheld
Photography: Joe Fletcher
Key Products
Cooktop/Ovens/Dishwasher/
Vent Hood: Miele
Faucets: Dornbracht, California Faucets, VOLA
Fireplace: Ortal
Flooring: Du Chateau/European oak
Icemaker: Scotsman
Refrigerator/freezer: Sub-Zero
Sinks: Blanco
Toilets: TOTO
Tub: Victoria and Albert, Mirabelle
Washer/dryer: Electrolux
Wine refrigerator: Sub-Zero