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Glass, stone, wood and stucco forms complement themajestic nature of hte site for this remodeled hilltop home.

Mid Century Scene Stealer

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Mid Century Scene Stealer

  • Glass, stone, wood and stucco forms complement themajestic nature of hte site for this remodeled hilltop home.

    http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2966%2Etmp_tcm17-202574.jpg

    Glass, stone, wood and stucco forms complement themajestic nature of hte site for this remodeled hilltop home.

    600

    John Ellis

    Glass, stone, wood and stucco forms complement the majestic nature of the site for this remodeled California hilltop home.

  • The master bath emphasizes the home's unifying philosophy of every room as a private sanctuary that balances utility, grace, and style.

    http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2965%2Etmp_tcm17-202567.jpg

    The master bath emphasizes the home's unifying philosophy of every room as a private sanctuary that balances utility, grace, and style.

    600

    John Ellis

    The master bath emphasizes the home's unifying philosophy of every room as a private sanctuary that balances utility, grace, and style.

  • Grand in size yet intimate in ambience, the outdoor family loggia steps out to the private oasis and stone water walls.

    http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2967%2Etmp_tcm17-202581.jpg

    Grand in size yet intimate in ambience, the outdoor family loggia steps out to the private oasis and stone water walls.

    600

    John Ellis

    Grand in size yet intimate in ambience, the outdoor family loggia steps out to the private oasis and stone water walls.

  • Mahogany cabinets and ceilings complement the library and the great vista window beyond.

    http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2968%2Etmp_tcm17-202588.jpg

    Mahogany cabinets and ceilings complement the library and the great vista window beyond.

    600

    John Ellis

    Mahogany cabinets and ceilings complement the library and the great vista window beyond.

  • The living room flows elegantly into the foyer, with its indoor/outdoor koi pond, and out to hilltop views of downtown Los Angeles beyond.

    http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2969%2Etmp_tcm17-202595.jpg

    The living room flows elegantly into the foyer, with its indoor/outdoor koi pond, and out to hilltop views of downtown Los Angeles beyond.

    600

    John Ellis

    The living room flows elegantly into the foyer, with its indoor/outdoor koi pond, and out to hilltop views of downtown Los Angeles beyond.

  • Horizontal planes of stone, ipe wood, and water carry the eye to the skyline beyond.

    http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp296A%2Etmp_tcm17-202602.jpg

    Horizontal planes of stone, ipe wood, and water carry the eye to the skyline beyond.

    600

    John Ellis

    Horizontal planes of stone, ipe wood, and water carry the eye to the skyline beyond.

  • Azure water spills over the travertine weir of the pool, reflecting the house and guest house.

    http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp296B%2Etmp_tcm17-202609.jpg

    Azure water spills over the travertine weir of the pool, reflecting the house and guest house.

    600

    John Ellis

    Azure water spills over the travertine weir of the pool, reflecting the house and guest house.

  • \\Dld-cadserver\DLD-CADServer Files\Awards-Competitions\Nydes\XREF-A2.1 ELE 1 (1)

    The south elevation before the remodel. the home took little advantage of the incredible hilltop site.

    http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp296C%2Etmp_tcm17-202616.jpg

    The south elevation before the remodel. the home took little advantage of the incredible hilltop site.

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    courtesy of Dean Larkin Design

    The south elevation before the remodel. the home took little advantage of the incredible hilltop site.

  • \\Dld-cadserver\DLD-CADServer Files\Awards-Competitions\Nydes\XREF-A2.1 BEFORE Plan 1 (1)

    Before first floor plan of an earlier, 1980s French remodel.

    http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp296D%2Etmp_tcm17-202623.jpg

    Before first floor plan of an earlier, 1980s French remodel.

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    courtesy of Dean Larkin Design

    Before first floor plan of an earlier, 1980s French remodel.

  • \\Dld-cadserver\DLD-CADServer Files\Awards-Competitions\Nydes\XREF-A2.1 BEFORE Plan 2 (2) (1)

    Before second floor plan.

    http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp296E%2Etmp_tcm17-202630.jpg

    Before second floor plan.

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    courtesy of Dean Larkin Design

    Before second floor plan.

  • \\Dld-cadserver\DLD-CADServer Files\Awards-Competitions\Nydes\XREF-A2.1 ELE 1 (1)

    Remodeled south (front) elevation.

    http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp296F%2Etmp_tcm17-202637.jpg

    Remodeled south (front) elevation.

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    courtesy of Dean Larkin Design

    Remodeled south (front) elevation.

  • \\Dld-cadserver\DLD-CADServer Files\Awards-Competitions\Nydes\XREF-A2.1 Plan 1 (1)

    After, first floor plan.

    http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2970%2Etmp_tcm17-202644.jpg

    After, first floor plan.

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    courtesy of Dean Larkin Design

    After, first floor plan.

  • \\Dld-cadserver\DLD-CADServer Files\Awards-Competitions\Nydes\XREF-A2.1 Plan 2 (1)

    After, second floor plan.

    http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2971%2Etmp_tcm17-202651.jpg

    After, second floor plan.

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    courtesy of Dean Larkin Design

    After, second floor plan.

Location: Los Angeles
Contractor: Matt Skinner, Elite Home Builders, Encino, Calif.
Designer: Dean Larkin, AIA, Dean Larkin Design, West Hollywood, Calif.
Interior designer: Franco Vecchio, Franco Vecchio Studio, Sherman Oaks, Calif.

“We spent a lot of time getting the house out of the way of the view,” says architect Dean Larkin, who couldn’t understand why the original home had been sited the way it was. “Most of the views from the windows were of nearby trees.”

Now the home has a 270-degree view of downtown Los Angeles. Everything but the kitchen and great room were relocated to take advantage of the scenery. The judges found the design “striking” and praised how it took full advantage of the beautiful city views.

Forms and materials pay homage to the site. “You get the first taste of this house from a mile away as you drive up Bel Air Canyon,” Larkin says. “The roofline sets the mood before you get to the property; it’s almost like a ship sailing off the edge of the canyon.” The home is designed in warm, natural tones. Exterior ledger stones approximate the color of the surrounding hillside. The motorcourt is cobblestone granite. “We attempted to grow the house out of the site,” Larkin says.

—Stacey Freed, senior editor, REMODELING.