2
As Unit the units rise up the hillside in this cluster they increase in size. As would be expected, these units also increase in value. In a sense the buyer would be paying by the frame-- and could expect a price based on the number of bays. Additionally, since the larger units rise higher on the slope, these more valuable spaces would occur there . Unit 2 now has all of the typically characteristic properties of the majority of the units in the cluster. Here the planning embodies the essence of what is the Arcadian life-style so often attributed to Southern California. Ascending the staircase just above Unit 1 the stair begins to widen. The stair is not strictly symmetrical. On the left is a planter (a device used in the staircase to suggest border, barrier, and beauty). On the right side of the staircase is a cascade of water. Ascending several steps up the staircase is the breakfast patio of Unit 2. This patio occures on both sides of the staircase. The patio bordered by a series of planter boxes is a typical element of the cluster. The patio is one of the places where less than obvious individualism will occur. These planter elements are not taken care of by the development's maintenance division. Rather, they are dependent upon the residents to develop it as a private space/ garden. Since this is the public side of the house, and is in a sense a part of the "street", this patio becomes the front yard of the house. The turning of the staircase is always in an effort to direct travel to the house's front door. This travel is always achieved in a less than obvious way. There is never a direct path. The staircase is not a place for speed or easy accessibility. The traveler is meant to always arrive at a single threshold, not a group of doors. At the main landing to the Unit, the traveler continues left or right down three steps to the forecourt of Unit 2. In this unit and all the units above this one, the forecourt is enlarged. Here, however, instead of the kitchen being opposite the earth wall or breakfast patio, a staircase leads to the roof terrace of the house. Arriving at the roof terrace from an exterior stair was a conscious decision, for several reasons. Among these are the opportunities to enliven the forecourt. During a roof deck party, the main direction of travel will occur from the kitchen, at the lowest level, through the house, out the front door and up to the deck. In other words the area will at moments be highly active. Placing this stair in the private confines of the house would have limited its more public function. There was no desire by the designer to create this kind of public--private separation. Finally, this device suggests the desire to blur the edge between indoor and outdoor, a predominant thought throughout the project. Since Unit 2 is a multistory unit, it takes advantage of space as a physical and visual linking element, this is seen throughout the development. To reinforce this concept, the inhabitant enters Unit 2 and all those above it, not at the ground level, but rather at the mid-level. This results in all public spaces being accessed by descending or accending into them. This simple device enhances the experiential impact a room has on the inhabitant, forcing him or her to always be consciously aware of Located "space". on the entry level (mid-level) are the bedrooms or the home office, depending on the unit type. The entrance is again a singlelight, wood frame door. From this door you can see through the entire house to the outside common hillside garden. The thickened (or earth) wall contains built-in shelves, contrasted with the steel stud and gypsum board walls that form all interior partitions. One enters the bedroom sanctum by turning away from the earth wall. The bedrooms are oriented towards the view, and each has a series of doors opening to a
Abstration
Limitations
Ground level, an early sketch.
Early backyard garden sketch, showing upper hardscape and lower green garden.
A generation of the entry level plan. Note location of stairs.
Perspective rendering of Unit 2 as viewed from the courtyard staircase. 48
Options for the plan at the entry level
Ground Level
Housing...the Hillside Los Angeles
Entry Level
0 2
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20
Roof Terrace
49
The sculpted staircase earth wall.
Cut-away axonometric sketch of staircase.
A perspective rendering of Unit 2, as seen from the lower green garden.
Plant deck, used to screen the dining space.
Perspective study of Unit 2 from staircase.
A view of Unit 2 from Unit 1 garden. shared balcony. The balcony is protected by a wooden cantilevered trellis. This trellis, however, originates deep inside the house and is present in the deepest recesses of the front bedrooms. This house has a floor area of 1,710 square feet including all circulation and stairs. Unit 2 is a two bedroom house, or a one bedroom with home office. Unit 2 has a shared bath, or by reconfiguring the bath (either closing it off entirely or altering access to the shower) the back bedroom becomes the home office. The shared bath comes about by the desire to have a totally separate bathing and cleanup space. As the floor plan is configured, it does not allow for a completely separate facility. Therefore, it comes about that the l...