LA Loft

The 1400 square foot dwelling is located in an existing warehouse building in downtown Los Angeles. The live-work environment was designed for a creative professional. Two distinct entities are evident in the design. The angular geometry of the faceted stone clad monolith stands in contrast to the free flowing organic elliptical shaped room. Through these two pieces a dialogue begins to emerge. Harmony and conflict co-exist within the dichotomous dwelling.
Technology is an integral part of the design in two ways,
1.) Technology is used to control the environment. The inhabitants have the ability to alter the mood of the space in a number of ways via a central control station. Lighting, music, security, heating - air conditioning and the display of the media wall are all programmed as part of the user interface. The media wall (a wall tiled with cinema display monitors) serves as an extension of the computer’s desktop. The wall is a screen for viewing films and for gaming. The media wall also serves as a virtual art gallery, displaying the occupant’s photography collection.
 2.) Technology was used to design and fabricate the residence. The forms were produced via a computer model and fabricated using a CNC (computer numerically controlled) milling process. 65 plywood ribs (14' high) were placed 12" apart as an armature to which thin layers of gypsum wallboard and plaster were affixed to form the complex curves of the walls.
 The raised floor is sheathed with a system of translucent honeycomb panels that allow for the LED lighting system below to morph from one color to the next. The building materials used were chosen for their ability to absorb or reflect the ever-changing color palette of the light. The raised flooring transforms into the lounge seating area and the desk of the workstation. A spa area is provided in the residence. Stone steps rise to the platform base of the monolith. The raised deck houses an air-bath tub, natural light, a stylized garden and a floating steel fireplace complete the relaxation zone.
 Undulating curved walls form the womb-like enclosure that serves as the kitchen. A 15’ long island of stainless steel houses the appliances and cabinets. The skin of the elliptical shaped room tears away revealing the bathroom concealed beyond.   The walls are pierced with light sensitive tiles. The light portals absorb and redistribute the available light within the space providing another dimension within the environment. It is here where the overhead cantilevered stone appendage penetrates the embryonic form. The two distinct entities compliment, contrast, violate and coalesce one another as they become one.