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USA & Canada
Project of the Week – Laurel Hills Residence
Location: Studio City, California
Architect: Assembledge+
Photos: Matthew Millman
Video: Jeff Ebner
Tucked in the foothills of LA’s famed Laurel Canyon, this hidden gem by Assembledge+ pays respect to Southern California’s modernist tradition. It also honors the majestic backdrop of lush and mature trees by utilizing courtyards and walls of operable glass to extend the living experience into the landscape.
“The goal was to create a more inwardly focused design concept; a protective oasis within the hustle and bustle of the city,” explains David Thompson, who’s both lead architect as well as client for this project.
Western Red Cedar panels highlight the back courtyard, with the living pavilion to the right and sleeping pavilion to the left.
Warming Up Modern Spaces with Wood
The home is composed of large charcoal-colored volumes. On their own, these bold, dark masses would lack warmth. But thankfully, the award-winning architect knew just the thing to make the interior and exterior spaces more inviting and responsive to the surrounding natural beauty.
He incorporated beautiful Real Cedar siding, accent walls and fencing throughout the compound.
“Western Red Cedar was an obvious choice for us on this project because of its scale, grain, and simple durability,” he says, adding, “The balance for us is always to ensure that a warmth compliments the strong forms, and Western Red Cedar is a very effective material for doing this.”
Creating Courtyard Sanctuaries with Cedar
The font courtyard integrates beautifully into the stunning landscape.
The result is a welcoming, yet airy, residential haven for Thompson and his family. The main house is approached through the courtyard, with the olive trees to the left, and the cedar siding and wild grasses to the right.
“On a beautiful evening with all the doors are open, the home becomes like a pavilion in an oasis,” says the award-winning architect. “It produces a particularly impactful, memorable feeling.”
Making a Statement with Versatile Siding
Of course, the fact that his cedar-finished home has huge wow factor is no big surprise for Thompson.
“We’ve used Western Red Cedar on other projects,” he says, “and it’s always a great moment when the siding wraps the first few walls and the client recognizes the character of their building.”