This 7,000-square-foot remodel of an existing 1974 church encompassed architecture, interior design, and landscape. And while the abundance of space is usually a luxury in Southern California homes, creating a warm indoor-outdoor family home within this sprawling abandoned church facility was a challenge that required a delicate, but sometimes firm hand. Through careful editing, and selected interventions, this 70’s style church took on a personal scale while still maintaining the spirit of the original.
A use of earth toned materials, including iron spotted brick, Douglas fir, and polished concrete, warmed the residence; while the introduction of glass, and a well-crafted landscape, brought a meaningful connection to the larger contest. Internally the program was broken into three primary areas: living, master suite, and kid zone – all rotating about the central entry.
Externally these three wings created several courtyards including a forecourt for entry, private patio, and a Jeffersonian open courtyard that beckoned one down the hillside to the pool beyond. A use of weathering steel terraces helped to scale the property and the introduction of overhead canopies brought the scale down to create several intimate settings for family and friends to gather.
