1964 Balboa Highlands Post + Beam :: Joseph Eichler

Balboa Highlands the site of roughly 100 of the most Iconic and sought after homes in Southern California, the only Eichler tract in Los Angeles county. Classic post and beam architectural with U shaped program wrapping around an all glass interior courtyard. Over-sized updated eat-in kitchen with direct garage access. Open living-dining rooms with exceptional original detail and wood burning fireplace is designed to draw the occupants to the back yard’s spectacular canyon and mountain views. Enlarged master bedroom also opens to the back yard and views. Remodeled master bath with designer finishes respects the mid century modern design. Gallery hallway leads to 3 guest bedrooms which share an additional bath and laundry room. The third guest bedroom doubles as a den/office which opens to the all glass interior court yard. Back yard entertainer’s deck is shaded by enormous Pines while looking over the valley and views beyond. Room for pool. 

Rare offering. By appointment only.

17031 Nanette Street, Granada Hills

for sale - $765,000
contact us to request a showing :: 310.275.1000

A Glimpse at the WAF 2014 Shortlist :: Completed Buildings - Small Projects

Strömkajen Ferry Terminals :: Marge Arkitekter :: Sweden

This week, as we continue our series focusing on the World Architecture Festival's 2014 Shortlist, we look at selections from the Small Projects category.

Salvaged Ring :: a21studio :: Vietnam

Sydney Harbour Ferry Wharves Upgrade :: GroupGSA :: Australia

Hello Wood Art Camp

For a fifth consecutive year, 120 young designers and architects were invited to attend the Hello Wood Art Camp in the fields of Csórompuszta, Hungary. Each year participants were given a specific theme and one week to create wooden installations based upon that theme. This year's theme: balance. Here we take a look at some of the results.

1923 Spanish View Home

Coveted Spanish style home built in 1923 sited on the brow of Amalfi Drive overlooking the Santa Monica canyon and the Pacific beyond. The main level offers the formal spaces including the living room, dining room, open kitchen and guest suite which all lend access to the decks or gardens surrounded by views. The lower floor is dedicated to the luxurious master suite including a sitting area and office. The house also offers a separate guest suite.

This rare Spanish Style house sits in arguably one of the best sites in the canyon with ocean views.

383 Amalfi Drive, Santa Monica

for sale - $2,450,000
contact us to request a showing :: 310.275.1000

A Glimpse at the WAF 2014 Shortlist :: Completed Buildings - Higher Education And Research

Departments of Law and Central Administration :: Vienna University of Economics and Business

This week, as we continue our series focusing on the World Architecture Festival's 2014 Shortlist, we look at selections from the Higher Education And Research category. 

Library and Learning Centre :: University of Economics

Aula Medica :: Wingårdh Arkitektkontor

Venice Canal Contemporary :: Vaughan Trammell Architect, AIA

The contemporary 3-story, steel & glass structure perfectly melds refined living spaces with outdoor flow, affording ocean breezes and classic footbridge views, sited on a prime corner lot of the Venice Canals. Upon entry, a double height angulating wall of glass floods the living area with natural light. The first level open floor plan includes custom kitchen with eat-at-bar, powder room, dining and living areas anchored by the modern hearth with radiant maple hardwood floors throughout. Fleetwood sliders retract, opening to the tranquil canal-side front-yard, perfect for outdoor entertaining or relaxation, complete with custom built in Argentinian grill. A curved stairway leads to large media room, two guest bedrooms, full bathroom and laundry. Top floor full master suite, includes private office or Yoga room, walk-in closet, master bath and two outdoor patios. A 40' private salt water lap pool parallels the master level with views across the entire venice canal neighborhood. A special offering for your most discerning clients.

2355 Eastern Canal Court, Venice

for sale - $3,425,000
contact us to request a showing :: 310.275.1000

My Optical Illusion as Art

This week we take a look at some interior designs that utilize anamorphosis - a distorted image that appears in its true shape when viewed from a specific vantage point, often creating an optical illusion.

Mid-Century Modern Oasis by Paul Wuesthoff, Architect

"One of a kind" home located on the Riviera Golf Course--"the rim". The grounds and home offer total privacy. As you walk through the entry gate, there is an amazing waterfall which flows through koi-filled streams and into ponds on the upper and lower level of the property. The 3-level redwood and glass home was designed by well-known architect Paul Wuesthoff in 1964. There are approximately 19 Redwoods, Canary Island pines, Fir trees and, of course, the golf course (5th hole). There is an ocean view from one of the decks. The pool/hot tub area includes a cabana/pool house and bar-b-q area. The greenhouses have fans and heaters. The home has three wood burning fireplaces, beautiful herringbone wood floors, the kitchen family room has been remodeled and includes top-of-the-line appliances. Almost every room opens to a private deck or patio. There is a 50-case wine cellar on the lower level plus a custom bonus room with 1/2 bath. 

900 Napoli Drive, Pacific Palisades

for sale - $11,900,000
contact us to request a showing :: 310.275.1000

A Glimpse at the WAF 2014 Shortlist :: Completed Buildings - Cultural

Akiha Ward Cultural Center :: Chiaki Arai Urban and Architecture Design :: Niigata City, Japan

The World Architecture Festival 2014 - the world's largest architectural awards festival - taking place at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore Oct. 1-3 has just released a shortlist, featuring more than 300 projects from over 40 different countries. In a series looking at some of the selected projects from across the 30 individual award categories, we start with Completed Buildings - Cultural.

Opera Florence :: ABDR Architetti Associati :: Florence, Italy

Garangula Gallery :: Fender Katsalidis Mirams Architects ::  Harden, NSW Australia

Bombay Arts Society :: Sanjay Puri :: Mumbai, India

The Robert Smith Residence :: Eugene Weston & Douglas Byles, Architects

Prolific Architect Eugene Weston teamed with Douglas Byles to create this iconic Mid-Century post and beam. Featured in the May 1950 edition of Arts & Architecture, and known as the Robert Smith Residence, this quintessential California home features three bedrooms, and three bathrooms in a sprawling open floor plan that seamlessly transitions from interior to exterior space. The focal point of the home is the pristine saline pool and spa visible from nearly every room. Updated with only the finest materials, including marble, glass tiles, and solid maple wood floors. This is truly a modernist dream with the privacy and serenity of Pasadena living.

320 San Miguel Road, Pasadena

for sale - $1,698,000
contact us to request a showing ::626.683.0777

AIA|LA's Breakfast with the Architect Tour :: Koning Eizenberg's "The Sobieski House"

This Sunday from 11am to 1pm, the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Insititute of Architects is offering their second "Breakfast with the Architect" tour, with Koning & Julie Eizenberg, AIA and Hank Koning, FAIA, at the famed Sobieski House in South Pasadena.

Black Desert House :: Marc Atlan Design with Oller & Pejic, Architects

Beyond shelter, Black Desert House is an artistic counter-point to a landscape born of fire, 

and sculpted over the last 100 million years. Conceived to read as a shadow cast within great 

piles of monzogranite boulders, the residence offers the quintessential desert experience: 

immersion into the timelessness of the vast desert panorama. By day the residence protects 

like a cave; at night it dissolves in the surrounding array of stars. Informed by the modernist 

aesthetic, the geometry of the structure minimizes distractions, while curtain glass walls 

eliminate indoor-outdoor distinctions. The public spaces open to the sheltered entry courtyard,

broad view terraces, and the private swimming pool.

Sited at a cooler elevation of over 4000 feet on 2.5 acres, the gated residence includes open

plan living areas, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a 2 car carport.

Yucca Valley, California

for sale - $975,000
contact us to request a showing :: 310.275.1000

Presented by Stephen Skuris :: Crosby Doe

Happy 4th of July!

The Hollywood Bowl July 4th Fireworks Spectacular

With the 4th of July weekend upon us, we look at some of the regions best secret - and not-so-secret - spots from which to observe and celebrate America's independence. 

Queen Mary All-American Fourth of July

The Long Beach Kids’ Bike Parade