Dissolving the boundaries between spaces, both interior and exterior, is the primary design intent of this single-family residence in Santa Monica Canyon. At the street front, privacy is interpreted through the building envelope and material organization. From here these elements begin to shift, or disappear altogether, allowing for a hierarchy of security, exposure and circulation that creates a dynamic, varied experience within the plan. Conceptually, the house is split into two distinct volumes with a landscaped strip bisecting the space. The floating ‘box’ second floor hovers in place above the poured concrete footing and ground-level living quarters. Comprised of three stories, this new residential construction engages the landscape by blending interior and exterior spaces through mindful massing. Bookending the first floor is the basement complete with a guest suite, family room and walk-out patio, and the third floor featuring a library, two additional bedrooms, bathrooms and the master suite. Integrated planters and a private deck extend the master bedroom, lending a view of the linear pool and reconnecting to the greenspace below. A bridge continues the core circulation from the library across to the secondary mass of the house, providing close proximity for family members while maintaining privacy. The three-story courtyard/atrium feeds light through each of the floors, including the basement, while providing sightlines to the backyard, as well as above and below. A folding garden feature sees the backyard greenery work its way subtly into the footprint of the living space. This relationship to the plot subverts the traditional notion of ‘boundary’ by allowing the home to feel simultaneously protected and emergent of the site. Coupled with fully operable glazing and the aforementioned interstitial spaces, the home feels occupiable from anywhere on the lot.
Vertical Courtyard House
Montalba Architects
Bronze

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Leni Popovici
Founding Director and Partner
at KAP Studios
There's a very robust integration o...
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7.5

Stefan Weil
CCO
at Atelier Markgraph
Another example of a crossfade of j...
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Omar Abdelghafour
Founder Principal
at Light Space Design
Beautiful details good blend of Jap...
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Christiaan Fokkema
Partner
at Hollandse Nieuwe
The house seems to fit very well in...
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6.25

Tina Norden
Partner
at Conran and Partners
A beautifully considered and elegan...
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Justine Fox
Cofounder | Colour Specialist
at Calzada Fox
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Veronica Givone
Managing Director Hospitality
at IA Interior Architects
This home is close to perfect. The...
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7.5

Anne-Rachel Schiffmann
Director of Interior Architecture
at Snøhetta
Strongest when in dialogue with the...
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6.75

Ruud Belmans
Creative Director
at WeWantMore
This design succeeds very well to w...
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Gudy Herder
Trend Consultant
at Eclectic Trends
Consistent use of natural light, wh...
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7.5

Sonia Tomic
Senior Associate, Head of Furniture & Materials
at Universal Design Studio
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Mengjie Liu
Cofounder
at Sò Studio
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Yifan Wu
Cofounder
at Sò Studio
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7.25

Liam Doyle
Principal
at Jump Studios
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6.75
Designer
Floor area
506 ㎡
Completion
2019
General Contractor
Sarlan Builders
Structural Engineer
The Office of Gordon L. Polon
MEP Engineer
PBS Engineers
Soils Engineer
Grover Hollingsworth and Associates, Inc.
Lighting Designer
Sean O'Connor Lighting
Landscape Designer
Elysian Landscapes