heusch inc. uses steel columns to elevate oak pass residence in beverly hills

heusch inc. has unveiled a 1,500 sq. ft underground office addition to the oak pass residence in beverly hills, california. owned by gerhard heusch, founder of heusch inc., the 3,500 sq. ft home was completed in 2006 on an empty parcel of abundantly natural land overlooking benedict canyon. the office space has been successfully integrated into its surroundings, without disrupting the architectural balance of the previous structure and the nature environment.

the oak pass residence by heusch inc. is supported and elevated by 10 steel columns which also mitigate any landslide threat to the structure. this solution also allowed to go without the 15-foot setback by building a much smaller, less obtrusive retaining wall into a natural cut in the property. the design resulted in a spacious, modernist home built into the reeling of the embracing hillside.

inside, the living spaces flow all the way into the floor-to-ceiling windows that highlight the views. the single-level layout is framed by natural stucco walls and Brazilian walnut floors. there are three bedrooms, including two which can be merged courtesy of a sliding wall. the roof drainage, plumbing and electricity have been embedded into the support columns, resulting in a minimalist, clean but warm overall look.

the office, which is located beneath the zen-like garden, began with the excavation of 80 truckloads of dirt in front of the retaining wall. the pool area was left untouched and the project carefully avoided disturbances to the main support columns. however, one of the existing support columns was incorporated into the design of this new space.

‘a setback essentially disrupts the idea of harmonizing the environment,’ explains heusch. ‘I didn’t want to build a house that would essentially stand alone as a partition between the hillside and the canyon. I am pleased to have been able to replicate the process of harmonizing the built environment with its natural surroundings. I now have the most serene office commute that I could have ever imagined.’

project info:

name: oak pass residence addition
architects: heusch inc
client: gerhard heusch
location: bevery hills, california
contractor: owner/builder
concrete contractor: toltec concrete
area of project: 320m2 house 150m2 studio addition
built: 2006 house, 2017 studio addition
photography: frederico zignani, gerhard heusch