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belzberg architects has constructed a three-story dwelling along a natural ridgeline in los angeles. designed to celebrate the site’s specific landscape, the long and narrow plan of the house mimics and inverts the angles of the surrounding topography, emerging above the canopy of trees that surround it. the secluded structure is hidden from the street, yet remains open to its site, offering views over the terrain below.

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all images © bruce damonte, unless otherwise stated

 

 

to the north, belzberg architects used canted limestone louvers and dense planting to shield the interior from adjacent properties. meanwhile, the remainder of the building remains open with the densely wooded valley below creating a natural screen. internally, a helical stair functions as both the primary circulation route, and as a sculptural gesture at the entrance to the house. at ground level, the staircase acts as a threshold into the open plan, while on the floor above, it separates the master suite and children’s quarter.

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the house offers views out over the landscape

 

 

the building culminates in the master bedroom at the uppermost level, which features full-height sliding doors at its cantilevered corner. throughout the scheme, walls are used sparingly in favor of fluidly connected spaces. movement and views between dining areas, kitchen, play and gathering spaces are uninterrupted, while floor-to-ceiling glass doors blend interior with exterior.

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image © art gray

belzberg-architects-the-tree-top-residence-los-angeles-designboom-02
a helical stair functions as both the primary circulation route, and as a sculptural gesture

belzberg-architects-the-tree-top-residence-los-angeles-designboom-02
the staircase acts as a threshold into the open plan living space

belzberg-architects-the-tree-top-residence-los-angeles-designboom-02
the sculptural feature also provides a light well to the basement

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the building culminates in the master bedroom at the uppermost level

belzberg-architects-the-tree-top-residence-los-angeles-designboom-02
walls are used sparingly in favor of fluidly connected spaces

belzberg-architects-the-tree-top-residence-los-angeles-designboom-02
floor-to-ceiling glass doors blend interior with exterior

belzberg-architects-the-tree-top-residence-los-angeles-designboom-02
planting helps shield the interior from adjacent properties

 

drawings

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site plan

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section

 

 

project info:

 

name: tree top residence
location: los angeles, USA
completion date: 2015
area: 13,900 sqf (1,291 sqm)
budget: confidential

 

project team: belzberg architects — hagy belzberg (partner-in-charge), david cheung (project manager), daniel rentsch, jennifer wu, chris sanford, barry gartin, susan nwankpa, brock desmit, chris arntzen, glenn ginter, andrew kim, ashley coon
interior designer: curated, inc.
landscape architect: pamela burton & company landscape architecture
structural engineer: thornton tomasetti
MEP engineer: south coast engineering
civil engineer: fuscoe engineering, inc.
soils engineer: grover hollingsworth & associates, inc.
specifications: interspec
general contractor: winters schram associates
surveyor: northlake surveying
expeditor: kimberlina whettam & associates
project management: planning partners limited
special fabrication: spectrum oak (stairs), funtime cabinet factory (millwork), fusion flooring (kitchen stair and wood flooring)

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