L.A. oasis: this 1,400-square-foot house feels expansive

Sunset, April, 2004 by Jil Peters

The big challenge facing many homeowners is how to make more out of less space, an issue that has been beautifully resolved in this house. Michael Collins and Daniel Banchik purchased what was a nondescript cottage on a small lot in West Hollywood, California, because they loved its location near art galleries. But they wanted a more functional, contemporary interior that connected easily to the outdoors, and, according to architect Patrick Tighe, the home's construction was substandard.

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By eliminating some of the inefficient elements found in most houses--such as hallways and door swings--Tighe designed a 1,400-square-foot home that looks and feels spacious. Tighe also manipulated lighting, views, ceiling height, and the flow between rooms to reinforce the perception of openness.

To qualify as a remodel--building an entirely new house would have required following strict new setback mandates--the architect had to maintain the existing square footage, the footprint, and 50 percent of the perimeter walls. Tighe opted to keep the exterior perimeter walls (even though they required reinforcement) and gut the interior. His design is a rectangle diagonally sliced into two sections that run from front to back: One is a large living/dining area and gallery; the other contains a kitchen between two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The kitchen and the bedrooms open directly to the main living space. The master bedroom and the narrow end of the living area open to the rear garden courtyard.

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The front door--a pivoting glass panel screened from the street with plantings and perfect for dogs Eli and Olive, who love to peer through it--opens to the living/dining room. Windows are at the front and rear, leaving the longer side walls free for displaying art. Clerestory windows above the side walls allow light to flood the space. At the rear, a reflecting pool set at the same height as the interior floor carries the eye into the garden.

Three laminated-glass sliding doors along the length of the room provide access to the kitchen, the den/guest bedroom, and the master bedroom. The 4-foot-wide doors are key to the design. When open, the spaces flow together so each room feels larger. When closed, the translucency ensures privacy while maintaining a level of openness.

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A private courtyard

This part of the Los Angeles area--low, flat, and far from ocean breezes--can get hot in the summer. The garden courtyard provides a welcome escape. Timber bamboo, which quickly grows to 35 to 40 feet, screens the perimeter. "The reflecting pool has an evaporative, cooling effect as the water flows over the leading edge down to a trough just below grade," Tighe explains.

The platform and steps off the dining area and master bedroom double as seating, turning the courtyard into a true outdoor room and an urban oasis. "I work from home a lot," Banchik says. "I just leave the doors open and go in and out with the dogs all day."

DESIGN: Tighe Architecture, Santa Monica (www.tighearchitecture.com or 310/450-8823)

CONSTRUCTION: TSO Construction, Venice, CA (310/396-2510); Tom Farrage and Company, Culver City, CA (310/842-9884)

RELATED ARTICLE: One line to rule them all

The plan shows how the living/dining room tapers toward the reflecting pool at the rear, removing the need for a hall. Each of the other rooms--den, kitchen, and master bedroom--opens directly to the main space.

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RELATED ARTICLE: Design details

In a small house, every inch must count. Here's how architect Patrick Tighe made a 1,400-square-foot home feel roomy.

* Unbroken surfaces (A). The undermounted sink, the clean lines of the concrete counter and the maple cabinetry (which goes all the way to the ceiling), and the simple, well-lit glass-tile backsplash create an uncluttered look.

* Flexibility (B). The mantel and the angled chimney-face function like a contemporary picture rail, allowing art displays to be changed easily.

* Outdoor views and easy access (C). The glass door opens the master bedroom to the courtyard, making each space part of the other.

* Lighting to lead the eye (D). Uplights in the reflecting pool line up with downlights in the dining and living areas, reinforcing the link between inside and outside at night. The lighting also accentuates the 15-foot-high angled ceiling, making the slender room feel larger.

* Overlapping elements (E). Continuous glass mosaic-tiled surfaces and a transparent glass partition allow each section--bathtub, shower, drying area--to borrow space from the other.

* Built-ins (F). Furniture was custom-designed to maximize space. In the den, for instance, a sofa and side table would dwarf the small room, but the built-in seating that extends to become a side table provides an efficient and appropriately scaled solution. It doubles as a bed for guests.

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