Tasked with building a home for his parents on a lot with a huge stone pine tree in the middle, Architect Daniel Monti of Modal Design decided to use the pine for inspiration, resulting in a unique home that plays with contrasting textures, light, color and materials, built around the tree.
The low maintenance, multi-generational design that ensued has been featured in various publications. Michael Webb of Architects Newspaper wrote:
"The home first appears as a composition of three volumes: the chocolate stucco cube of the garage to the left, the recessed band of glazing to the right, and the upper-level screen, cut away to frame windows. The open-plan living areas are treated as an architectural promenade through layered spaces, in which each step brings a new sensation. A small glazed office behind the garage frames the linear pool along the south face of the house, and the living areas open onto this walled side yard and onto the century-old pine, which finally reveals its immensity. Seating and kitchen cabinets are treated as floating islands.
A primary goal of the design was to exploit the plentiful Southern California light. Folds in the Cor-ten screen cast changing shadows over the exterior, and the circular openings act as sundials to record the hours and seasons inside. Light becomes a sculptural presence that adds depth to every space and surface. A linear band of skylights reveals the extended branches of the stone pine, which cast a dappled pattern of sun and shadow across the polished concrete floor, balancing the light flooding in through wide glass sliders. The staircase balustrade is composed of the steel discs that were laser-cut from the Cor-ten screen, spot-welded to create a tactile enclosure that mirrors the thousand points of light playing over oiled walnut floor boards.
The house feels more spacious than its 3,250 square feet would suggest, thanks to its good proportions, refined detailing, and the intimate connection with the outdoors. Though a delicate and skillfully balanced composition, more than anything, the Walnut house feels livable."
This distinctive property is on the market for the first time as a pocket listing: 3BD/2.5BA, 6,000s/f lot
2237 Walnut Ave., Venice
for sale $3,100,000
contact us to request a showing : : 310.866.5039
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| Pictures by Benny Chan :: Fotoworks |
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