Hidden House

14. July 2010

Located in the "hidden canyon" of LA's Glassell Park neighborhood, the Hidden House by Standard embodies the best of that cities residential architecture. It recalls the houses of R.M. Schindler and other European expatriates who embraced the landscape with their expressions of California Modernism.

View of interior and North courtyard(Photos: Benny Chan/fotoworks)

What were the circumstances of receiving the commission for this project?

The clients were referred to us by a mutual friend. They were looking for a large property, and our firm was retained to help them evaluate sites.

View of interior and North courtyard

Can you describe your design process for the building?

Due to code restrictions we were constrained to incorporate an existing structure within a new design. We tried to find a pattern within the existing house that could lead to a set of rules to unify the new design. Our approach was to delineate the East and West facing walls in plaster, and the North and south facing walls in wood. We emphasized the “T” shape of the existing house by extending it to the north. This plan gave us two exterior courtyards that would become outdoor living areas.

View of pivot door and glass corner

How does the completed building compare to the project as designed? Were there any dramatic changes between the two and/or lessons learned during construction?

We had originally designed a swimming pool for the north courtyard, but due to cost considerations it was postponed. The courtyard was landscaped and it became the most active outdoor living area in the scheme. The pool will be located away from the house, as a destination in the landscape.

Floor Plan

(Drawing: Standard®LLP)

How does the building compare to other projects in your office, be it the same or other building types?

The house is part of the evolution of our work. The redwood and cement plaster are similar to two residences we completed prior to this house, and elements of the Hidden House informed other projects that we’ve done since. The large wood pivot doors and the beamed ceilings found their way into retail spaces.

How does the building relate to contemporary architectural trends, be it sustainability, technology, etc.?

We were educated and trained in Europe before starting our practice in Los Angeles. The Hidden House brings our affinity for minimalism to Southern California. It’s not a slick minimalism, but a reductive approach that through its materials and spaces, speaks to a way of living. It is deliberately low-tech.

E-mail interview conducted by John Hill

Hidden House
2009
Los Angeles, CA

Architects
Standard®LLP
Los Angeles

Design Principal
Jeffrey Allsbrook

Project Architect
Yoshihiro Miura

Project Team
Monica Oller
Sylwia Pasciak

Structural Engineer
Gordon Polon

Landscape Architect
Bent Grass
Jeff Pervorse
Martin Frederickson

Contractor
Bronstruction, Inc.

Site Area
7 acres

Building Area
3,500 sq ft.