SKYLARK
Los Angeles, CA
Located in West Hollywood on Skylark Lane, this house was built on a steep 30,744-square-foot lot at the end of a narrow private street. The first impression that visitors have of the house is one of openness, with the second level appearing to float over the entry terrace and parking area, revealing views toward the ocean and the west side of Los Angeles. In place of a conventional garage the house has two elevators that transport cars to the basement. Entry to the house is via a bridge over a three-level light well. A water wall cascades to the court below, which divides the basement in two. At the upper level two additional bridge components link the bedrooms to the two-story living room and loft. These spaces are the focal point of the house and have large tilting glass walls that lift up to become canopies over the terrace. These glass walls make the inside and outside decks of the house into a continuous living space. The architect explains that the house “has a somewhat industrial feel, exposed wide flange steel columns and fascia detailing, for example.” There are five bedrooms, living and family spaces, a gym, a media room, and two offices. The main level of the house, which is about half the size of the basement or the upper floor, houses the living, dining, and kitchen areas together with large terraces. The bedrooms, including a master bedroom suite, are located on the upper level. Exterior walls are in gray basalt, while Visconte, and Calacatta Gold marble and, Absolute Black Zimbabwe granite are used for interior walls. Floors are in Caliza Gris limestone.