The Broadlawn House is perched in the Hollywood hills and sits on a challenging steeply sloped site with an unusually high saturated soil and multiple utility easements running under the existing structure. The best solution to maximize usable area and keep the costs in check was to gut the entire place and give it new life. We have carefully enhanced the qualities of the existing space, removed and added structure, changed and enlarged all doors and windows to breathe new life into this mid-century modern ranch house.
We have maximized space by introducing patio doors and large windows that engage with smaller courtyards that are carefully carved between retaining walls, steep slopes and planting beds all around the house. A 7’ diameter circular window has been introduced to frame the views both- to and from the house.
The kitchen counter extends from the interior into the entry courtyard through sliding windows and transforms it for use as a dining or serving bar. We introduced glass blocks - an element that has been used elsewhere in the house to bring in diffused light in areas that required privacy and to frame around a new entry door. The house is painted a soft pink- for the client’s love of the color, while the painted green eaves and fascia board are meant to camouflage with the dense foliage on the steeped slopes around the house.
The entry hallway draws people in with the warmth of the newly exposed wood framing. We have carefully hid the AC units behind a frameless door and are celebrating the closet with curves that need to be opened to put away coats and shoes as you first enter into the house.
The existing fire place is being clad in a glazed warm brick reminiscent of mid century modern houses and the solid hearth is being replaced with floating river pebble granite. Newly framed patio doors have been reconfigured to allow for a seamless connection to the outdoor deck and main open space.
