Villa I

One of our earliest projects, was a concept for a home that was destroyed by the result of the Woolsey Fire in 2018. Much of the Santa Monica mountains and subsequently, the houses in the City of Malibu burned down, the result was streets covered in ruins of family homes that were wiped down to the studs. Our clients were a couple in the film industry and were utterly devastated by the torrent of this natural disaster. Our intervention aims to question the notion of dwelling and the idea of a ruin, to ask, how do we rebuild in anticipation of disaster? How can materials and design more better prepare us for these moments? And, how can we start to form a collective memory in which we may build upon the past, rather than foregoing previous structures completely in the wake of wild nature’s take over. This residence is elegantly comprised of three volumes strategically placed atop an oceanfront hillside property in Malibu, CA with breathtaking views of the ocean. The volumes are placed in such a way that takes full advantage of the beautiful vistas towards the Pacific Ocean. Each oriented towards a specific view and each holding a specific function of the house, the volumes link and separate the rituals of dwelling. One for the bedroom quarters, one for the living quarters and the other for the kitchen, all three structures are connected internally by a wooden corridor and externally by surrounding courtyards. The unique structure is made of tapered columns and concrete beams spanning between each column. Taking inspiration from several modernist heroes, from Carlo Scarpa to Jørn Utzon. Almost primitive in its form, the structure lends itself to a beautiful play of shadows as the architectural elements are enhanced by the movement of the sun on the passing of each day. The concrete structure is left with exposed joints and form work markings, juxtaposing textured concrete surfaces against refined wood and glass. The building’s order is achieved through the honesty of materials and the clarity of its design.