arshia architects' angular mu77 home perches over hollywood hills

LA-based studio arshia architects has shared with us mu77, one of their recently completed houses projecting from a steep hollywood hillside on renowned mulholland drive. the project, one of the newest additions to the iconic mountainscape. a series of practical and zoning related challenges shaped much of the overall form, as the house needed to be pushed to the lower end of the site closer to the public road while required view lines greatly informed the connected from interior to exterior. the house as an object differentiates itself from the landscape as a form alien to its surroundings, whose stark white envelope alludes to the nature of a stone having broken through the ground.

the driveway ends into a low-profile suggestion of the home beneath- white walls and large glass panes establish the houses aesthetic
image © paul vu (also first image)

what seemed at first like a detriment to the design actually opened up an opportunity to achieve the openness the client would enjoy with the privacy a house needs. arshia architects therefore, left an extremely subtle profile at the entry and highest point of the topography. the program is divided into two principle levels along a broken east/west axis, giving each bedroom ample views, light, and ventilation. the upper story contains 4 bedrooms, each with views over the valley, while the lower level houses the master suite and living areas of the house, opening onto an exterior patio and swimming pool.

the northern facade is primarily composed of glazing, opening onto exterior courtyards and extending views over the valley
image © paul vu

a central atrium space frames the angular stairs that subdivide the floor plan almost directly in the center. the open floor plan of the lower floor offers a central, light-filled gathering space with fully operable glass walls that open to the outside. white walls and light-colored white oak floors reflect natural light to all spaces of the interior making for a permanently bright home.

the structure’s construction feels like a projection over the site, extending into the horizon beyond
image © paul vu