Architect Restores a Midcentury Modern House In The Hills of Los Angeles (House Tour)

In this considered restoration of a quintessential Los Angeles midcentury modern house, Woods + Dangaran designs a geometrically striking home that moves into the 21st century while acknowledging its past. “We instantly felt we could improve it but that we could also preserve it,” says Brett Woods, Founding Partner at Woods + Dangaran. Located just west of Beverly Hills, the home is a refreshing departure from the contemporary mansions that line the streets. “Unlike many homes in Los Angeles, it had this courtyard leading up to the entry and the classic hallmarks of a great example of modernist architecture” says Brett.

A courtyard leading up to the entrance acts like a decompression zone before one reaches the front door. Upon entering, an intimate, dark and moody den awaits. There is a formal sitting area to the right that is more bright and complete with warm-coloured furniture and retro décor. The dining room has been relocated to be in close proximity to the kitchen, which enables an outdoor connection to the terrace. The interior design of this culinary space also captures a wealth of natural light and features generous proportions.

The main bedroom is positioned at the rear of the house and is furnished with custom pieces and cabinetry, imbuing it with beauty. The bathroom makes one feel worlds away with views of the hills, pines and garden beyond, and there is an enhanced visual connection to the outdoors thanks to a large window and skylight above. Each guest bedroom also has a private outdoor space to relax. A narrow, three-foot hallway that leads down to the office space has been restored – typical dimensions of a midcentury modern house – and the experience is elevated by the introduction of a glass wall system and water feature outside.

The way Clear Oak interacts with its surroundings is equally as captivating as the interior design. An expansive retaining wall creates an outdoor fireplace area, while a double infinity pool expands the backyard space. The scale and clean lines of the home’s structure take a backseat to the landscape so that the beautiful pine trees and valley remain the focal point. The interior design also incorporates a lot of glass to invite an ample amount of natural light into the home.

By preserving the original architecture of the midcentury modern house and adopting a disciplined approach, Woods + Dangaran design a home that seamlessly blends with the landscape it sits upon. “Midcentury homes are such a part of the fabric of Los Angeles. We feel a responsibility when restoring them to ensure they are still around for another 60 or 70 years,” says Brett.

00:00 – Introduction to the Midcentury Modern House
00:36 – The History and Restoration of the Property
01:16 – A Walkthrough of the House
03:52 – The Era-Specific Material Palette
04:51 – A Powerful Outdoor Connection
05:52 – The Balance of Natural Light and Materials
06:18 – A Responsibility of Restoration

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Photography by Joe Fletcher.
Architecture, Interior Design and Styling by Woods + Dangaran.
Build by Dobkin Construction.
Landscape Design by ​​Chris Sosa Landscape Architecture.
Structural Engineering by Arktech Engineering and Management.
Geotechnical Engineering by Irvine Geotechnical.
Filmed and Edited by The Local Project.
Production by The Local Project.

Location: Encino, California, United States

The Local Project acknowledges the traditional territories and homelands of the Indigenous peoples in the United States. We recognise the importance of Indigenous peoples in the identity of our respective countries and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Indigenous peoples of these lands.

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