Project Data:

Completion Date:     9/17/2026

Square Footage:      14306

Building Use:           Single family residence

Project Description:

This project is situated on a very difficult, extremely steep downslope site, up in the hills above Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles. A driveway off an access easement leads to both a motor court and main entry to the house on the first floor, a helical ramp spirals down from level one to the basement level 4 car garage, a secondary main entry up into the main house and an entry to the guest suite/ADU below. This allows the mass of the house to be long and low below the street, reducing the visual impact of the structure and preserving the view for the public driving driving down the hill on the street above. By design we can accomplish what the client wants but preserve and include the public by not obscuring their enjoyment of the hillside environment and scenery across the LA basin.
The primary challenge was to fit the structure into the hillside, provide all the required program elements, while taking advantage of panoramic views. The main goal in the design of the house, in plan, was to create four levels that gently follow the curve of the street above across the slope, at the same time, stepping down the hill away from the street above. This allows the masses integrate with the hillside environment. All program spaces face the view framing the Los Angeles skyline from the Hollywood Hills to the coast, from Malibu to Orange County, giving occupants the experience of living at an indoor / outdoor environment at private a panoramic viewpoint, engaging the senses through discovery of place, connecting people to place.

The design incorporates vegetative roofs and storm water planter boxes to filter the runoff from roofs and hardscape, returning to the storm drainage system free of pollutants. These elements, combined with native, low water use landscape promote water conservation and quality.

Expansive decks and articulated forms using a simple pallet of natural materials, generate interest and lead to a sense of discovery enhancing occupants experience of the hillside environment. The muti-level decks create generous outdoor space on the hillside that is much too steep to allow outdoor access. Glass wall and sliding door systems allow natural light to flood the space while reducing heat gain with large overhangs and energy efficient glazing. Large sliding glass wall systems open to allow the interior to take advantage of the prevailing breeze of the ocean in the distance to moderate the indoor temperature and air quality passively, reducing the energy expended by mechanical conditioning systems.

All surfaces incorporate natural materials, stone, non-combustible wood look products, clay plasters with straw reinforcement and sustainable ceramic floor and wall surface treatments. Natural clay plasters absorb CO2 from the air sequestering it in the finish surfaces. Finish materials were carefully chosen to create interest using varied textures, warmth of materials and a soothing color palette to promote comfort and a healthy environment for the occupants. Extensive use of natural materials helps connect the occupants with the surrounding natural environment.

Design for Integration, Design for Ecosystems, Design for Water , Design for Energy, Design for Well-being 

Design for Integration: The project engages the senses using highly articulated forms with interesting natural textures and materials.

Design for Ecosystems: This project is carved into the hillside stepping with terrain. Circulation through the varied levels leads occupants through the articulated spaces across, up and down the hillside along expansive walls of glass and connecting outdoor spaces immersing occupants into the hillside environment. Clay plaster, manufactured wood look products need little to no maintenance.

Design for Water: All storm water runoff is filtered through vegetative roof and planter box elements directing clean water to the ocean through city storm drain system. All landscaping trees and plants are carefully chosen to be native low water use vegetation.

Design for Energy: Solar roof tiles generate electricity that will be stored in battery/inverter units provide electrical power to reduce demands on the public power grid, saving cost. Extensive use of large overhangs when the sun is high in the sky shades the glass during summer months reducing heat gain. During winter months when the sun is lower in the sky the overhangs allow the sun in to passively warm the floor mass.

Design for Wellness: A extensive wellness center is a program element providing gym and workout areas, spa and sauna. Natural light flooding the space through the expansive glass walls opening the interior to the natural environment of the hillside and warm natural materials with varied textures creates a soothing, calming sense of well-being and connects the occupants to place and nature. The expansive outdoor spaces encourage occupants to move spend time outdoors contributing to a healthy lifestyle.

Completion Date:     9/17/2026

Square Footage:      14306

Building Use:           Single family residence

Location:                 Los Angeles, CA

Tag Front Architects

Soil engineer: Irivine Geotechnics
Structural engineer: Amir Pirbadian, INC
Civil engineer: M&G Civil engineering
MEP engineers: GMEP engineering

Phil May Design