stradella residence by EYRC overlooks stone canyon reservoir in bel air, california

perched atop a hill overlooking stone canyon reservoir in bel air, california, stradella residence by US-based practice EYRC (ehrlich yanai rhee chaney architects) is a two-story home, renovated to add more space and better connect the interiors to the outdoors. the project, which was designed by takashi yanai (the Y in EYRC and residential practice director), retains the original footprint of the ground floor, but the layout of the existing space has been dramatically changed. full-height sliding doors open the house up to the surrounding landscape, while an architectural staircase of stained white oak makes a bold visual statement at the entrance and divides public spaces from the more private.all images by paul vu

EYRC has renovated the property according to the owner’s wishes, who grew up in the existing 1969 single-story house and imagined its remodelling and the addition of a second floor as a project she wanted to undertake with her elderly parents. the main design intent was to add some space but more importantly, to better connect the interiors to the outdoors and capitalize on the property’s expansive views. undertaken by the firm’s partner and residential studio director, takashi yanai, the renovation retains the original footprint of the ground floor, which now consists of an open living, dining, and kitchen area. there, full-height sliding doors open the house up to the view, providing framed vistas of stone canyon reservoir to the back, and a new private courtyard to the front.

an artfully restrained color and material palette keeps the architecture focused on the surrounding views. ‘this house is an exercise in restraint: modest materials and simple, sculptural forms create a stage for the occupants that connects to nature and frames the spectacular view,’ explains takashi yanai. inside, a stained white oak staircase on the ground floor makes a bold visual statement at the entrance and divides public spaces from the more private; including a home office, a media room, guest bedrooms with shared bathroom, as well as powder room. the upper level, which was added during the renovation, comprises two additional bedrooms along with a second living area and a large master suite that provide access to a roof deck and overlook the reservoir to the north and hollywood hills to the east. a large window in the master bath provides views all the way to the ocean.