MAD architects completes 'gardenhouse' residential complex in los angeles

MAD architects, led by ma yansong, has completed ‘gardenhouse’ — its first realized project in the united states. located on wilshire boulevard in beverly hills, the residential scheme, which also includes commercial space at ground level, was first unveiled in 2015 before topping out in 2018. the project is a continuation of MAD’s ‘shanshui city’ design philosophy, which sees the firm design buildings that fulfill the spiritual and emotional needs of their inhabitants.

image by nic lehoux (also main image)

‘los angeles and beverly hills are highly modernized and developed,’ explains ma yansong, founder and principal partner of MAD architects. ‘their residences on the hills seemingly coexist with the urban environment. however, they also see enclosed movement at their core. the commune connection between the urban environment and nature is isolated. what new perspectives, and new value, can we bring to los angeles? perhaps, we can create a hill in the urban context, so people can live on it and make it a village. this place will be half urban, half nature. this can offer an interesting response to beverly hills: a neighborhood which is often carefully organized and maintained, now with a witty, playful new resident.’

image by darren bradley

gardenhouse comprises a collection of 18 residences as well as a living green wall, which is one of the largest in the US. this defining envelope is covered in lush plantings of native, drought-tolerant succulents and vines, whose familiarity to the local climate negates the need for extra irrigation and maintenance. evoking the lush landscape of beverly hills, the scheme appears as a ‘hillside village’ that emerges in the form of a cluster of white façades with irregular-shaped windows and gabled-roof structures. this dynamic neighborhood has been designed as a playful and witty homage to LA’s iconic hillsides.

image by nic lehoux

the development offers a variety of different housing typologies: two studios, eight condominiums, three townhouses, and five villas. enclosed by this cluster of white, pitched-roofed houses, the second floor courtyard forms a central landscaped gathering space for the community. with careful consideration given to the distance, orientation, and arrangement of balconies overlooking the courtyard, the result is a private, tranquil, convenient interaction between residents and the ‘secret garden’ they share.

image by darren bradley

upon entry, residents are welcomed via a ground-floor entrance along stanley drive, off wilshire boulevard. this entrance adopts the atmosphere of a hillside cave where residents are led on a journey of light, shadow, and the sound of water. above, natural daylight floods through a connected water feature from the courtyard patio above. standing beneath this threshold, residents are surrounded by sun, sky, landscape, and water — a scene that stands in strong contrast to the surrounding city.

image by darren bradley

prospective residents can choose from three residential collections, each with interiors by rottet studio: garden flats, row houses, or sky villas. centered around the outdoor living experience, the three-bedroom ‘garden flats’ have up to 2,500 square feet (232 sqm) of living space. with ample room for dining and entertaining, the interiors transition onto private balconies and terraces that connect to the interior courtyard.

image by nic lehoux

an exclusive trio of residences, the ‘row house’ collection features three-story floor plans of up to 3,100 square feet (288 sqm) and private three-car garages that can be directly accessed from each residence’s private lift. adding to the level of luxury are spacious private full-floor master suites, fireplaces, powder rooms, formal and informal living spaces and upper-level great rooms with chef’s kitchens and walk-in pantries. the row houses also provide a variety of outdoor living spaces, including terraces and balconies and landscaped front entries on charleville boulevard.

finally, perched on the upper levels of gardenhouse, the ‘sky villas’ boast plentiful natural light and expansive views across the city. each of these two-story, three-bedroom residences feature soaring ceiling heights, floor-to-ceiling windows, and custom-designed sculptural staircases connecting the lower and upper floors. the sky villas are appointed with interior living spaces of up to 2,900 square feet (269 sqm) that open to outdoor living areas and private terraces. the exteriors are clad in a façade of aluminum composite panels, which reinterpret the classical proportions of each residence in a contemporary aesthetic.

image by darren bradley

‘through ‘gardenhouse’, MAD seeks to offer a rebuttal to the stereotypical cubic-box living environments of high-density cities across the world,’ explain the architects. ‘an intrinsic connection with nature, with a tranquil, shared courtyard and private outdoor space for each unit, creates a calm oasis just meters away from the urban environment. the result is a physical manifestation of the idea that architecture can connect with both the built and natural environment, to offer a more full, harmonious living experience.’

image by darren bradley

sales have been launched for the homes, which are priced from approximately $3.8 million USD. six model residences are now on display for prospective residents to tour by appointment only.

image by darren bradley

image by darren bradley

image by darren bradley

image by darren bradley

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project info:

name: gardenhouse
location: los angeles, CA, USA
dates: 2013 – 2020
typology: residential, commercial
site area: 2,400 sqm / 25,833 sqf
building area: 4,460 sqm / 48,007 sqf
building height: 18 m / 59 ft

architect: MAD architects
principal partners in charge: ma yansong, dang qun, yosuke hayano
associate partners in charge: flora lee, dixon lu
design team: li guangchong, jon kontuly, joanna tan, chris hung-yu chen, wenshan xie, cesar d pena del rey, jeffrey miner

client: palisades capital partners LLC
executive architect: gruen associates
structural engineer: john labib + associates (JLA)
MEP engineer: breen engineering inc.
landscape architect: gruen associates
interior design: rottet studio
civil engineering: kimley-horn and associates, inc.
green wall specialist: seasons landscape
general constructor: DHC builders, inc.