How can a house be simultaneously big and small? The perfect example of such challenging task is hanging on a hillside of Los Angeles. It’s called Big & Small House because of a simple guideline: what’s apparently missing in square meters is provided by volume. A two-story building with a total floor area of 111sqm presents a clear effort to maximize space while occupying a site around half the size of its neighbors.
The domestic program is brilliantly resolved with a minimum use of partitions: a garage area, a mezzanine bedroom, a bathroom and a large open space for kitchen, living and dining room compose the interior of the house. The volume of the building gains a special value for its double-height space, enhanced by the absence of floor-to-ceiling partitions.
Natural light is constantly invited to the interior surfaces of this modern home, entering through large windows that offer a dominant view over L.A. As you can see, less is definitely not boring… in fact: every little detail counts in order to obtain such a delicate pearl as this one. A magnificent skylight stands properly positioned over the bedroom area: seems like all the stars in the sky can be quietly admired before a good night sleep.
Two concrete pillars sustain the building, giving the impression of a metallic object hanging over the hill. This shiny appearance results from the use of seam metal sheets that clad the entire facade of the house, while interior walls and floors are lined with timber. White is cleverly reserved for ceilings and walls… an ingenious option to achieve a bigger sense of space in a small building.
Architects & Photography: Anonymous Architects
share with friends