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WARD LUU RESIDENCE
PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA
Photography:
Fotoworks
Jury
Comments: Not only does the concrete block
provide functionality by anchoring the house to the site,
but it also offers an aesthetic quality that the jury found
very appealing. The block walls seem to enhance the views of
the surrounding landscape by visually tying the interior and
exterior together. The burnished block also provides a
pleasant combination of texture and neutral color that
offers a warm contrast to the dark floors.
Situated in Rustic Canyon, one of the most serene areas
in Los Angeles, this 4,000 square-foot residence offers
views of the canyon and gently sloping hillsides to the
east. The house is effectively divided into two separate,
but connected areas: a public pavilion with the kitchen,
living room and dining areas; and a private pavilion
containing the bedrooms. A glass-enclosed walkway bridges
the two masses, taking optimal advantage of the location and
surrounding landscape. A third mass includes a double
cantilevered guesthouse resting on top of a studio,
accentuating the breezeway and intimate arrival. Materials
of burnished concrete masonry units, galvanized steel
paneling, and glass complement the openness of the design
and integration of the object-like forms on the
site.
Special attention was given to choosing the concrete masonry units that would become the defining motif in this home. All textures, from craggy split face to sandblasted precision, and colors from pale white to warm gray were considered. The final choice, a custom fabricated masonry unit of white cement with burnished faces was selected for its unique beauty and its ability to play off the rustic nature of the site. To save cost, only the exposed face of the masonry unit was burnished. Scaled drawings of each CMU wall were color-coded and keyed to determine quantity and orientation of the burnished faces.
The Ward Luu Residence uses concrete masonry units as both functional and design elements throughout the home. The CMU anchor the house, providing mass as the buildings emerge from the slope, and counterbalance to the cantilevered pavilions resting on top. On the exterior, the concrete masonry units also serve as a visual contrast to the steel cladding and landscaping. The motif is continued through the interior with the masonry units providing a warm balance between the dark stained wood floors and the white plaster walls and ceiling. In addition, the concrete masonry units highlight the connection between indoors and outdoors by continuing exterior walls and structural elements inside the home.
ARCHITECT
Marmol Radziner and Associates
12210
Nebraska Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Leo
Marmol
Managing Principal
Ron
Radziner
Design Principal
Stephanie
Hobbs
Project Manager
Brad Lang and Patrick McHugh Project Architects
STRUCTURAL
ENGINEER
KPFF Consulting Engineers
GENERAL
CONTRACTOR
Marmol Radziner and Associates
MASONRY
CONTRACTOR:
Clive Christie
BLOCK
PRODUCER:
ORCO Block Company
OWNERS:
John Ward and Chan Luu
