Program
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The client sought a 4,000 square foot home focused on entertaining and outdoor living. The home was built on an existing level pad following the demolition of an existing structure. The one-acre flag lot slopes steeply in three directions providing views to the San Gabriel Mountains Rose Bowl and downtown Pasadena. The clients frequently welcome overnight guests for extended stays as well as entertain groups of 20-30 people for holidays and business dinners. |
Plan
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The house is organized into two major elements. The private spaces are located in the southern end of the home with the more public entertainment spaces located to the north. The entertainment spaces are capped with a wing like roof structure designed to provide shade for the outdoor living spaces. The shaped glue-laminated beam roof provides operable clearstory windows at the west while trapping natural thermal drafts on the east inducing natural ventilation. The underside of the roof is up-lit at night providing uniform reflected illumination for evening dining. The staggered plan was created to develop both decomposed granite entry motor court as well as a colored concrete and stone private pool deck overlooking the view.
The kitchen is situated for view and ease of entertainment with double pass-through windows for outdoor serving and contact with the adjacent full outdoor kitchen on the deck. Pantry and service space are located at the rear of the kitchen and are accessed by a carport for deliveries at the north end of the house. Maid’s quarters are adjacent to the kitchen and currently serve as a home-office with separate entry from the home.
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Approach
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The owners had a strong desire to maximize the relationship of the home with the landscape. Materials and colors were selected to reflect the native materials of the site. The entry sequence to the home incorporates a seasonal streambed or pond. The streambed utilizes found rocks and site gravel to form a water retention basin. Roof and site water is channeled into the basin forming a seasonal pond. Water retention is controlled by a series of valves permitting site irrigation and delayed discharge to the storm drain. The streambed extends through the glass facade into the house forming a visual linkage with the exterior. Large stones protrude through the floor along the circulation corridor and extend through the house to the exterior pool deck on the east and south. The master bedroom incorporates a movable glazed wall system that retracts into the wall exposing the bedroom to the exterior space and view. |
Materials
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Materials and colors reflect the earth tones of the site. Colored concrete floors with slate bands extend throughout the house. Additional floor materials include stone and cherry flooring and natural fiber sisal carpets in the bedrooms and home-office. Wall coverings include cheery paneling granite, travertine, slate and painted drywall. Exterior surfaces are limited to smooth trowel exterior plaster due to fire restrictions and Pasadena hillside design guides. |
Budget
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The house was Design-Build with the Architects acting as construction managers. The cost of the home is withheld at the owners request. |
