The firm, known for its refined modern architecture, worked closely with their clients, a professional couple that were active in the project, says JMS principal and architect, Joseph Smith. “They are very passionate about design and we worked well together on the design of the home — to a point that the client carried an early floorplan/sketch of the home and each time a change was considered he’d revert back to the initial sketch and typically stay with the initial inspiration.”
Functionality was key to the home’s design, Smith adds, “Keeping with the firm’s philosophy of form follows function, the home exterior façades are a product of the homes functions.” From the street, linear stone steps lead to floating concrete steps which rise to a covered front porch with expansive glass accentuating the steel-framed entry. A stone parapet façade is interrupted with metal channels allowing drainage for the low slope roof, while clerestories formed in a lighter metal cladding reach to the north with a pronounced roof overhang. A glass entry appears as a floating bridge designating the home’s entrance. It’s the first of many such glass details. “We were inspired by factory buildings with simple north facing clerestories — the clerestories were introduced to provide natural light into all the living spaces and bedrooms,” explains Smith. Wrapped in grey stone walls, the home is punctuated by expansive glass openings and metal clad walls.
A stone wall on the opposite side of the floating entry leads to the main living space which anchors the outdoor courtyard space, a secluded area which was pivotal to the overall design. “As a courtyard design, the focus of the living spaces are inward. The clients requested privacy which the courtyard design affords,” says Smith.
At the homeowner’s request, there is a rear entry motor court between two single-car garages. Corten® steel was utilized in landscape wall-formed planters and retaining walls which stair step from the house to the street allowing the home to be nestled into the site. A custom Corten® steel linear panel fence encloses the property. One of the planters covers a buried cistern that collects the air conditioning condensate. The north facing clerestories allow for southern exposure to the rooflines accommodating a future solar panel array.
While the exterior is distinctive, the interior living spaces are smartly-styled — a sleekly modern canvas for the homeowner’s lifestyle and chic contemporary décor. The homeowner provided the interior design and greatly influenced the landscaping design as well.
The entry connects the main living space to the guest wing. Narrow strip windows set in a wood clad wall opposite the door provide glimpses to the courtyard pool. The guest wing has two bedrooms with ample ambient interior light via clerestories. Maximizing privacy, the windows are orientated to the street and side yard.
The main living space is open to the kitchen and dining room with a floating two-sided linear fireplace separating the two. In the center is the living room with a north facing clerestory wall filled with a soaring, capacious ceiling punctuated with a Big Ass® fan. The dining room features a glass pivot door showcasing a climate-controlled wine room. The north side of the space opens to a private courtyard separated from the side alley by a stone garden wall. On the south side, the vast space opens to the pool courtyard with a generous overhang creating a deep outdoor living space.
Continuation of the exterior stone into the main living space ties the exterior to the interior. Glass openings interpose the stone walls with integrated shade pockets providing for sun and privacy considerations.
At the end of the main living space, the Italian Scavolini® kitchen, designed for an open relationship to the room, is set in stone walls. The rear wing, galley hallway encompasses a wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling glass pivot door and pantry, while connecting the master wing and creating the rear face of the pool courtyard. The master bedroom opens to a wood deck which is cantilevered over the pool, while polished concrete decking surrounds the pool and zero-edge spa. A show-stopping, linear fire feature separates the outdoor covered area from the pool decking and adds night time drama for outdoor entertaining.
It’s especially at night — when all the glass allows the exposed light and colors to interplay with the outdoor elements — that this contemporary home shines like a jewel box of color and composition.