HOUSE ON BLUE JAY WAY

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Trevor Waters
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1 2 HOUSE ON BLUE JAY WAY Blue Jay Way represents a beautiful client-architect partnership in design 1 THE EXTERIOR OF THE HOME IS A SPECTACLE UNTO ITSELF WITH STRIKING TEAK PANELLING AND CONCRETE

ridgeline of Mulholland Scenic Parkway overlooking the San Fernando Valley, this structure is a four-level, multi-faceted viewing station for the Los Angeles basin below.

3 1 2 HOUSE ON BLUE JAY WAY Blue Jay Way represents a beautiful client-architect partnership in design 1 THE EXTERIOR OF THE HOME IS A SPECTACLE UNTO ITSELF WITH STRIKING TEAK PANELLING AND CONCRETE RENDER CREATING A SUPRISINGLY HARMONIOUS LOOK 2 BRIDGES, STAIRWAYS AND CORRIDORS LEAD TO THE DIFFEERENT LEVELS OF THE HOME AND BECON YOU IN TO EXPLORE PERCHED ON A STEEP, nearly 45-degree grade, ridgeline of Mulholland Scenic Parkway overlooking the San Fernando Valley, this structure is a four-level, multi-faceted viewing station for the Los Angeles basin below. As per the client s objectives, the structure captures exterior space as living space, and harnesses the panoramic views, accessible from the common areas and courtyards of the property. Separate living pods allow different activities and interactions to occur simultaneously without mutual disruption. The residence features a crisp concrete plinth base of two levels, housing parking garages and a host of recreational amenities. A screening room, gymnasium, wine cellar and disco lounge (complete with mirrored ball, DJ station and bar!) complete the first level interior. Teak panels clad the upper level of the house, floating as if on air above an all-glass main level. Jutting off the master bedroom, a Miesian sitting room steals 180-degree views of the Los Angeles basin below, stretching from the Getty Museum to the skyscrapers of downtown LA. The circulation plan creates space along the perimeter of the home, promoting changing vistas and connection with the outdoors as one moves freely between living, dining, kitchen and private areas. 60 COMPLETEHOME.COM.AU COMPLETEHOME.COM.AU 61

HOUSES AND APARTMENTS 5 3 3 THE CORNER POSITION OF THE LOUNGE AND THE LOW LINES

4 A MASSIVE KITCHEN AND EATING BAR BACK ON TO THE POOL AREA WITH LARGE BI-FOLD

INSPIRATION 4 The structure captures exterior space as living space, and

4 HOUSES AND APARTMENTS THE CORNER POSITION OF THE LOUNGE AND THE LOW LINES OF THE FURNISHINGS KEEPS THE MOOD COOL AND ALLOWS THE VIEWS OF THE CITY TAKE OVER 4 A MASSIVE KITCHEN AND EATING BAR BACK ON TO THE POOL AREA WITH LARGE BI-FOLD DOORS MAKING THE TWO ROOMS ONE 5 A LIGHT FILLED BEDROOM IS THE HOME TO ART AND INSPIRATION 4 The structure captures exterior space as living space, and harnesses the panoramic views of the valley below. 62 COMPLETEHOME.COM.AU COMPLETEHOME.COM.AU 63

HOUSES AND APARTMENTS 6 6 THE BATHROOM IS KEPT MINIMAL AND DOESN'T MISS OUT ON THE FANTASTIC VISTAS 7 A VALLEY SUNSET IS

emphasises natural light in every room and main program elements are central and low so as not to block views to the

The circulation plan creates space along the perimeter of the home, promoting changing vistas and connection with the

A designer by trade, the client designed many of the furnishings for the residence and selected others to best showcase the

5 HOUSES AND APARTMENTS 6 6 THE BATHROOM IS KEPT MINIMAL AND DOESN'T MISS OUT ON THE FANTASTIC VISTAS 7 A VALLEY SUNSET IS BEST ENJOYED POOLSIDE 8 SPLASHES OF CONTEMPORARY FURNISHINGS TOP OFF A FORMAL SITTING AREA 7 8 A light, open floor plan emphasises natural light in every room and main program elements are central and low so as not to block views to the outside. The circulation plan creates space along the perimeter of the home, promoting changing vistas and connection with the outdoors as one moves freely between living, dining, kitchen and private areas. A designer by trade, the client designed many of the furnishings for the residence and selected others to best showcase the home s inviting architecture. CHD Separate living pods allow different activities and interactions to occur simultaneously without mutual disruption. SPF:ARCHITECTS 8609 E Washing Boulevarde, Culver City CA Tel: Website: 64 COMPLETEHOME.COM.AU COMPLETEHOME.COM.AU 65

6 interior design THE WHITE HOUSE A designer by trade, client Scott Oshry told his friend and architect Zoltan Pali that the brief for this house was for a white house with minimalist beauty

interior design OVERALL, THE STRUCTURE IS DESIGNED TO MINIMISE THE GEOLOGICAL IMPACT (HENCE COST) OF CONSTRUCTION, ALL THE WHILE MAXIMISING THE VARIETY OF CANYON VIEWS OFFERED AS ONE MOVES THROUGH

As owner of his own design firm, Oshry wanted the freedom to work from home periodically, without his workspace interfering with more livable parts of the residence.

7 interior design OVERALL, THE STRUCTURE IS DESIGNED TO MINIMISE THE GEOLOGICAL IMPACT (HENCE COST) OF CONSTRUCTION, ALL THE WHILE MAXIMISING THE VARIETY OF CANYON VIEWS OFFERED AS ONE MOVES THROUGH THE HOME SCOTT OSHRY PURCHASED a narrow block of land on a steep canyon wall with spectacular views, located in the posh Stone Canyon region of Bel Air, California. As owner of his own design firm, Oshry wanted the freedom to work from home periodically, without his workspace interfering with more livable parts of the residence. As if the narrow, steep grade was not enough, early soil testing revealed that the site for the house was not fit for residential development with a standard foundation. Due to the soil s instability, the architect would need to root the structure with concrete friction piles dug 30 metres below the surface. The cost of such an activity not to mention the challenge of staging construction on a 45-degree grade became the fundamental protagonist of the project s design. Strict zoning guidelines for hillside lots, as well as the client s dynamic programming requirements, created a tapestry of challenges that invigorated, rather than discouraged, Pali, who sees architecture as the art of solving such problems poetically. Early diagrammatic explorations showed that organising the home along a narrow floorplan and incorporating an outdoor courtyard as livable space could minimise the number of foundation piles needed for a sound structure. Such a plan would also provide one answer to the client s request for indoor-outdoor connection throughout the home. The resulting design features two distinct volumes connected by an iconic glass bridge on the upper level and a central courtyard on the ground floor, exploring new PREVIOUS PAGE The home is a striking feature on the hillside LEFT The glass bridge connects the two wings and allows for a spacious courtyard OPPOSITE PAGE Different building materials such as pebbles, louvres and cladding all work together with the natural surroundings to create a dynamic space

months THIS PAGE Soaring ceilings create incredible living areas expressions of transparency and connectivity in and through the home.

8 designer profile capellini THE OSHRY RESIDENCE INTEGRATES MAJOR DESIGN ELEMENTS WITH PASSIVE SHADING AND VENTILATION FUNCTIONS. THE STONE LOUVRES ON THE FIRST FLOOR SHADE THE LIVING ROOM WHILE MAINTAINING VIEWS OPPOSITE PAGE Outdoor areas are easily accessed through sliding glass doors and can be enjoyed even in the cooler months THIS PAGE Soaring ceilings create incredible living areas expressions of transparency and connectivity in and through the home. The layout juxtaposes notions of privatepublic separation against this indoor-outdoor connection in its organisation. As one travels across the bridge from private to public living areas, floor-to-ceiling glass reveals exceptionally charged sunrise views. The elemental impact of the direct sun is mitigated through a series of limestone louvres as one descends the stair to the kitchen and dining areas. The fixed white planes, spaced at 15cm intervals along the first-floor elevation, provide passive shading without obstructing views and cast changing shadow patterns across the interior throughout the day. Operable windows across the bridge allow warmer air to escape during hotter days, and serve to ventilate the rooms below. Aluminium grates are further dually used for screening and balcony rails on the second-floor terrace and interior rooms overlooking the courtyard. The kitchen, dining, and sitting room all face southeast, each space flowing into the next, orienting the user again toward the canyon views. Perched discreetly atop the kitchen and family room, the homeowner s large master suite and private terrace share similar south-eastern orientation. The architect carefully diagrammed and analysed different orientations and presumed movement patterns, fine tuning a plan to maximise both comfort and connection to the outdoors while walking through the house. The kitchen s single rear wall is centrally placed and appears almost as a piece of

The window draws the view toward the lush greenery of the home s backyard a more secluded and intimate side of the canyon.

9 designer profile capellini furniture, easily cornered. Circulation around its perimeter leads to formal dining and living rooms, providing more secluded space for special entertaining. A geometric 12-seat dining room table is punctuated at its north-western end by a long, narrow window, placed at eye level only for those seated at the table. The window draws the view toward the lush greenery of the home s backyard a more secluded and intimate side of the canyon. The living room s fireplace is a minimalist s fantasy, providing a cubic-like opening for storage of firewood and unsightly tools. Custom oversized lamps dangle from the living room s 25-foot ceilings, proportionate to the voluminous space. The western edge of the living room backs up to a wall of glass looking out to the central courtyard, a suggestive division between the home s living and working regions. The western volume of the home contains its garage, two guest bedrooms and the designer s office, which overlooks the courtyard from the second floor. Through the transparent bridge, the homeowner can take indirect pleasure from the canyon views, as well as keep an eye on the living and dining rooms across the courtyard. The façade of the home is straightforwardly articulated in the client s desired minimal fashion, boldly featuring the clean volumetric elements of the structure. Overall, the structure is designed to minimise the geological impact (hence cost) of construction, all the while maximising the variety of canyon views offered as one moves through the home. Architect Zoltan Pali resolved the myriad complexities that arose from the site, soil and unique requirements of the client, in a way that is unique, refreshing, and quite unlike anything else in the canyon. ABOVE LEFT The design of the home incorporates a narrow floorplan to minimise the foundation piles needed LEFT The kitchen is fit for a professional with freeflowing spaces allowing air movement and a relaxed vibe THE GLASS BRIDGE ON THE SECOND FLOOR HAS OPERABLE WINDOWS THAT CAN BE OPENED DURING THE HOTTER DAYS, LETTING THE WARMER AIR ESCAPE FROM THE DOUBLE-HEIGHT SPACES AND THEREBY COOLING THE ROOMS STUDIO PALI FEKETE ARCHITECTS (SPF:A) DESIGN ARCHITECT Zoltan E. Pali, FAIA 9609 E Washing Boulevard Culver City, CA TEL WEBSITE 138

HOMESTEAD GARDEN ROOM

HOMESTEAD GARDEN ROOM As their name suggests these Chamberlain Gorge rooms are perched above the stunning and magical Chamberlain Gorge, giving breathtaking views of the gorge itself as well as the outstretched