Venice House in California by pod architecture + design

Article source: pod architecture + design

Venice House is a compact, three-story house in Venice Beach, CA, huddled among the neighborhood’s densely packed residences and detached garages. The sloping trapezoidal roof and white metal and warm wood exterior walls make it stand out in the crush of houses.

There were just 700 square feet on which to begin custom-designing a modern three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath house for this family of four. Since we couldn’t build out, we built up, stacking spatial needs vertically, starting with an open two-car garage and private outdoor living space on the ground level.

Image Courtesy © pod architecture + design

• Architects: pod architecture + design
• Project: Venice House
• Location: Venice Beach, California, USA
• Photography: Youn Choi
  
• Client/Owner: Youn Choi and architect Douglas Pierson 
  
• Structural Engineer: Structural Design Plus, Sherman Oaks, CA 
  
• Mechanical/Plumbing: Cornerstone 
  
• Construction Manager: Douglas Pierson, Roman Reiterer 
  
• Models: Douglas Pierson 
  

Image Courtesy © pod architecture + design

The kitchen/dining/living space and a bathroom occupy the next floor up, where exposed ceiling trusses and built-in natural wood cabinetry warm the otherwise crisp white interior. Surrounded by windows on all sides, the space is filled with natural light.

All of the bedrooms – the master with en-suite bath and two children’s bedrooms with a shared \”Jack and Jill\” bath – are on the top floor.

Image Courtesy © pod architecture + design

Image Courtesy © pod architecture + design

To make the most of every square inch, there are just two interior walls and no hallways. Spatial separations are implied through changes in structural millwork and glass. Center-pivoting doors allow individual spaces, such as bedrooms, to open into larger, combined family spaces.

The built-in cabinetry does double and triple duty in this ultra-efficient house. The credenza by the kitchen and dining area also guards the open staircase against accidental falls. A closet “cube” in the kids’ bathroom divides their bedroom space and houses bathroom fixtures. Murphy beds give the kids more play space during the day. And custom-made furniture on casters lets the owners transform spaces from one use to another with ease.

Image Courtesy © pod architecture + design

Image Courtesy © pod architecture + design

By establishing clear hierarchies in building materials, using innovative interpretations of roof requirements (the trapezoidal), and configuring open stairs and landings to interconnect floors, we created a parsimoniously modern home for four that’s affordable, sustainable, and ultra-efficient within just 1390 square feet of living space.

The house has been featured on an AIA Los Angeles Homes Tour.

Image Courtesy © pod architecture + design

Image Courtesy © pod architecture + design

Image Courtesy © pod architecture + design

Image Courtesy © pod architecture + design

Image Courtesy © pod architecture + design

Image Courtesy © pod architecture + design

Image Courtesy © pod architecture + design

Image Courtesy © pod architecture + design

Image Courtesy © pod architecture + design

Image Courtesy © pod architecture + design

Image Courtesy © pod architecture + design

Image Courtesy © pod architecture + design

Image Courtesy © pod architecture + design

Image Courtesy © pod architecture + design

Tags: California, USA

Categories: Apartments, House, Residential

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