Centered Home

a home exquisitely detailed for a lifetime of curiosity

location
Los Angeles
status
Completed, 2021
client
Withheld
team

Annie Barrett
Adriel Mesznik
Alexander Collier

AOR
HYCArch
Structural
Ibarra
Landscape
Hocker
Lighting
Theia
Contractor
GHBW
Millwork
Silverstrand
1

This unconventional home was designed to both embody and fulfill its owners’ desire to live an expansive, inquisitive life.

Exterior view showing the dark shu sugi ban wood cladding and the san pedro cactic garden at the front of the house
2

The house is organized around a single central volume containing the most private programs, such as the bedroom.

An exploded axonometric diagram, showing the nested relationship of central millwork cube to the adjacent spaces
Bedroom in neutral, natural and white tones, with angular, wood-clad skylight above, and floating wall-mounted side tables and sconces on either side of the bed
3

From this private central core, the design unfolds outward to the living spaces...

Elevational view of the main living space with window reading nook to the left, kitchen island and kitchen counter at the center, faceted skylight above, and storage millwork adjacent to the floor to ceiling window to the right.
4

...with each concentric layer becoming more public as it approaches the edges of the site...

Plan drawing of the project
5

...and connects to the surrounding landscape and city.

Exterior view at sunset of the backyard deck and office space inside the full-height glass sliding doors.
6

At the heart of the central living space, a skylight and shaped ceiling bring light, texture, and natural rhythms into daily life– supporting solitude and gathering.

Elevational view of the furnished living area with a gird of artwork on the wall above the sofa and the faceted ceiling skylight above
Skylight and faceted white ceiling.
7

The rigorously crafted geometries that create the effect were designed through large-scale daylighting models and in close collaboration with the owners...

A black and white photo of the clients looking into a scale model of their home
8

...who (enthusiastically) embraced a home defined by exceptional, beautiful, and deeply specific design solutions.

Detail photo of custom ribbed texture of the storage millwork
Detail photo with a house cat, built in concealed litterbox, and nook for feeding bowls
9

Every detail is carefully tuned to their domestic desires, from cooking together to stretching alone, from waking with the rising sun to sleeping through the night.

View into the exercise room integrated within the central millwork cube
View into bedroom of the side of the bed with millwork at the rear wall and wood-clad pyramidal skylight above
View of built in wood seating in the shower and skylight above
10

Storage is accommodated within the thickness of the central cube, and a thickened southern wall, which also minimizes heat gain.

Section drawing of the project showing a sloped roof profile
11

Materials were selected to cultivate physical and emotional ease. From the smooth feel of a custom drawer pull to the relaxed assurance of a stain-free countertop.

View of the kitchen island at the center, kitchen counter behind it with concealed skylight above, hallway leading to exterior to the right, and living area with sofa to the left
12

Centered Home has been featured in numerous publications, including Architectural Record, Wallpaper, and Dwell.

Photograph of Architectural Record magazine laying on a wooden table. The magazine is opened to an article about Centered Home.
A screenshow of an article about Centered Home on dwll titled "Ahead of Retirement, a Los Angeles Couple Reimagine Their Home for What's Next."

1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 taken by Brandon Shigeta