SANTA MONICA

SANTA MONICA \ CALIFORNIA

Modern kitchen and living room on the left and chaise lounges around the pool on the right seperated by a large sliding glass door down the middle.

SANTA MONICA

SANTA MONICA \ CALIFORNIA

This Santa Monica residence exemplifies the thoughtful transformation of a suburban lot into a dynamic interplay between architecture and landscape. Every element is designed with intention, maximizing space, framing views, and creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor environments.

From the moment one enters the space, the balance of architecture and landscape is evident. Expansive sliding doors erase boundaries between indoors and out, drawing the eye toward a pool garden where a custom water feature enhances the sensory experience. This seamless flow allows the home and its surroundings to function as a cohesive whole.

Private moments are equally considered. The primary suite extends into a secluded garden, where an outdoor shower mirrors its indoor counterpart, reinforcing a connection to nature. Thoughtfully framed views; whether of sculptural plantings, curated artworks, or the soft movement of layered hedges; offer a sense of immersion, making every perspective intentional.

Above, the rooftop terrace utilizes otherwise unusable space. A pergola-shaded dining area, custom fireplace, and swinging daybed create an inviting destination, while structured plantings provide enclosure and intimacy. The ascent itself is thoughtfully considered, punctuated by a trellised stairwell alive with bougainvillea, its magenta blooms introducing vertical movement and seasonal color.

Material selections reflect an honest approach, allowing each element to express its inherent character. Concrete, steel, limestone, and cedar are used with restraint and precision, reinforcing the project’s clarity of form and function. This thoughtful selection not only enhances the architectural aesthetic but also ensures durability and a sense of timelessness

At the heart of the design is an understanding of scale and experience. A sunken garden invites exploration, anchored by a climbing rock wall that offers play and adventure. A suspended planter, positioned on metal beams, elevates a tree into view, ensuring that even transitional spaces; like the bridge connecting primary living areas; engage with the landscape.

This project is a testament to collaboration, where architecture, interiors, and landscape merge to create a residence that feels expansive, integrated, and deeply connected to its environment. The result is a home that doesn’t just sit within its surroundings but lives within them.

SANTA MONICA

SANTA MONICA \ CALIFORNIA

  • This Santa Monica residence exemplifies the thoughtful transformation of a suburban lot into a dynamic interplay between architecture and landscape. Every element is designed with intention, maximizing space, framing views, and creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor environments.

    From the moment one enters the space, the balance of architecture and landscape is evident. Expansive sliding doors erase boundaries between indoors and out, drawing the eye toward a pool garden where a custom water feature enhances the sensory experience. This seamless flow allows the home and its surroundings to function as a cohesive whole.

    Private moments are equally considered. The primary suite extends into a secluded garden, where an outdoor shower mirrors its indoor counterpart, reinforcing a connection to nature. Thoughtfully framed views; whether of sculptural plantings, curated artworks, or the soft movement of layered hedges; offer a sense of immersion, making every perspective intentional.

    Above, the rooftop terrace utilizes otherwise unusable space. A pergola-shaded dining area, custom fireplace, and swinging daybed create an inviting destination, while structured plantings provide enclosure and intimacy. The ascent itself is thoughtfully considered, punctuated by a trellised stairwell alive with bougainvillea, its magenta blooms introducing vertical movement and seasonal color.

    Material selections reflect an honest approach, allowing each element to express its inherent character. Concrete, steel, limestone, and cedar are used with restraint and precision, reinforcing the project’s clarity of form and function. This thoughtful selection not only enhances the architectural aesthetic but also ensures durability and a sense of timelessness

    At the heart of the design is an understanding of scale and experience. A sunken garden invites exploration, anchored by a climbing rock wall that offers play and adventure. A suspended planter, positioned on metal beams, elevates a tree into view, ensuring that even transitional spaces; like the bridge connecting primary living areas; engage with the landscape.

    This project is a testament to collaboration, where architecture, interiors, and landscape merge to create a residence that feels expansive, integrated, and deeply connected to its environment. The result is a home that doesn’t just sit within its surroundings but lives within them.

    RECOGNITION

    Architectural Digest Online \ 2022

    COLLABORATORS

    Kathy Taslitz Studio

    Backen and Backen Architecture

    MG Partners Inc.

    PHOTOGRAPHY

    Neil Landino

The entrance from the street to the entry courtyard with wood pillars flanking the pathway and large olive trees with ornamental grasses planter underneath.
Simple site plan of the front of the property.
A tall hedge is in the background with a wood wall that is also a water feature in front spilling water into the pool. In the foreground is the modern kitchen and living room seperated by a large sliding glass door.
A close up of the water feature and pool in the background and a chaise lounge chair blurred in the foreground.
A lounge chair, ottoman and side table next to the pool.
Close up of Bougainvillea.
A close up of the water feature spouts.
A view looking up a Japanese Maple tree in front of a window
Close up of a shrub of creeping thyme.
Outdoor seating area on a rooftop terrace with modern patio furniture, a sleek linear fire feature, and lush green hedges, creating a cozy and stylish ambiance.
Rooftop dining area with wooden dining table and chairs, shaded by a pergola with woven covering, surrounded by greenery. A small outdoor kitchen area with countertop, plants, and a hanging decorative lamp is nearby.
A bicycle is parked on a gravel path next to olive trees in a landscaped garden, bordered by hedges and green plants.
Modern landscaped yard with gravel, pathways, olive trees, and a bicycle against a wall.
Outdoor scene viewed through a window featuring a sculpture made of reflective metal shaped into a seated figure, surrounded by lush green foliage and a wooden fence.
Private gravel garden with modern white chairs and ottomans, surrounded by green plants and hedges. Glass door on a building wall, with a small wall light fixture next to it.
Man walking multiple dogs on leashes on the sidewalk in front of a garden with olive trees and shrubs, in front of a modern building entrance.
Outdoor shower with a minimalist design, featuring a rainfall showerhead, wall-mounted soap shelf, and modern fixtures. The area is landscaped with gravel, stone pavers, and lush greenery, including trimmed bushes and a hedge.
Outdoor patio area with a staircase covered in vibrant pink and orange flowers, surrounded by lush green foliage. There are chairs and a table on the patio area, close to a pool.
Garden with metal sculpture of a person walking on a large steel ring, surrounded by lush green foliage.
Backyard with small swimming pool, wood panel waterfall, lounge chair, table with chairs, and lush green foliage.

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