Hope all is well. We would like to share with you one of Paul McClean’s recently completed projects, located in Los Angeles. The interiors were designed by Lynda Murray, LMID, Inc.
Photographed by Jim Bartsch.
A captivating site looking east towards the San Gabriel mountains with a unique view of the Hollywood sign and the Griffith Observatory, the firm’s clients wanted a family home for themselves and their three children. Because the usable area of the site was somewhat limited and restricted by planning ordinances, they needed to place a substantial part of the program below grade. It made sense to locate the main living spaces and the parents’ suite on the upper level and locate the three children’s rooms as well as a family play area and media space in the basement. The most pressing design challenge was how to get enough light into the lower level while providing privacy from the street and access to the view. The design solution involved creating a central lower-level courtyard with a bridged connection to the main entry above, focused directly on the view of the Hollywood sign in the distance.
The house is separated from the street by a series of stone walls with only a small break on axis with the entry bridge. Entry is through a metal gate and along a tall water wall overlooking the central courtyard and leading to the glass bridge. Upon entering, the living area looks directly out over the pool with the kitchen and dining family space to the left and the main bedroom wing to the right. The living area contains a unique bar area with an aquarium back drop and a clear glass floor to the wine cellar below.
The bedrooms on the lower level all look out over a central landscaped courtyard, with a sliding glass wall that combines the outdoor garden with the family room in pleasant weather. The lower level includes a gym and wellness area in addition to the wine room, with its glass ceiling to the bar area above. Since space is at such a premium, parking for the property is accessed by a ramp and located below the rear garden and pool area.
A palette of natural stone and soft wood tones, accented by black steel windows and trim, creates a warm and inviting series of contemporary spaces, with a seamless connection to the surrounding garden and hillside spaces.
McClean’s eponymous firm is one of the leading contemporary residential design firms in Southern California. Paul has become the go-to architect for celebrity clientele such as Beyoncé, Jay Z and Calvin Klein. With projects ranging in size from 3,500 to well above 50,000 square feet, McClean’s homes are tailor-made to harmoniously fit his clients’ varying lifestyles. Although based in Southern California, the firm is busy working on homes throughout the United States and abroad.
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