Located on a steeply sloped hill with views of the Silver Lake Reservoir, the design of the Baxter House intertwines a dramatic site with a modern residence. Imagining the entire site as the home, the residence furthers the ideals of indoor-outdoor living from building to human scale.
VDL House by Richard Neutra, 1932, rebuilt 1964; Silvertop Residence by John Lautner,1976 photo by Iwan Baan
Close to residential masterworks in Silver Lake like the VDL House by Richard Neutra and the Silvertop Residence by John Lautner, the site carries an opportunity to add to the compelling architectural presence in Silver Lake.
Julian Eltinge for Photoplay Magazine, 1921; Villa Capistrano home by Pierpont and Walter S. Davis Architects
Beyond the architectural significance of the area, a part of the history of Los Angeles is also celebrated and somewhat camouflaged. As one of the highest paid stage actors of the twentieth century, Julian Eltinge moved to California in 1914 to star in silent films. Eltinge, who was renowned for performing as both male and female characters, commissioned a large Spanish Colonial Revival home that still stands today.
Site showing the adjacent Villa Capistrano garden, designed for America’s first drag superstar, Julian Eltinge
The elaborate home is set within an extensive and elaborate upper and lower garden, each of differing character. Now located on a separate parcel, the remains of the lower Moorish-style garden is maintained as an significant aspect of the Baxter house.
Site plan and building section
In order to preserve the Eltinge garden, the new Baxter residence is largely embedded within the earth along a retaining wall. The two main building volumes are each slightly rotated in response to topography and views.
Eltinge House Site plan, garden highlighted; Baxter House Site Plan, garden highlighted
In contrast to the long vehicular driveway culminating in large turnabout in the Eltinge Residence and other large estates, the Baxter house lacks a formal entry. Instead, a simple side gate acts as the access point into the house and site. The entry sequence follows a CMU brick wall to open onto a pool deck that acts as an extension of the living room.
Rendering, view from site entry including the parametric CMU block wall on the exterior face of the garage
Just as wood, glass and concrete were reimagined by architects of the past like Neutra and Lautner, the CMU block is re-envisioned in composition and construction. Typically viewed as an economical and utilitarian material, a custom CMU block was used to emphasize the interior and exterior relationship of the project. Just as the overall building masses are slightly rotated, CMU blocks are turned within the ground level wall to echo the building geometry at a human scale.
Rendering, view from media area living room
Starting from the outside, a feathered pattern of rotated CMU blocks wraps around the corner to become part of the interior, seamlessly transitioning from outside-in.
Rotation options through software
With what could have been a typical wall, the design of the CMU block walls was deeply investigated to reinforce the ideas of the design at a tactile and experiential level.
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Elevation
CNC-milled jigs, CMU block wall construction
In a collaborative process between designers, engineers, contractors and masons, the parametric CMU wall utilized old and new tools to bring the wall from computer screen to reality. Utilizing an in-house CNC mill, jigs were cut from old display boards to assist with the on-site installation of the walls.
Interior CMU block wall from the living room side
Understandably skeptical, the masons are now enthusiastic partners in the construction of the walls so vital to the expression of a whole design. With materiality as key consideration, the humble CMU block is given a new life through extensive teamwork and thought.
Custom CMU color, aggregate and finish sample
Complimenting the upper volume wrapped in black shou-sugi ban wood, the lower volume is composed of dark CMU blocks made of a custom mix of pumice and lava. Adhering to another vital component of modernism, the CMU blocks are left exposed to ensure the honest expression of material.
Construction set to be completed Fall 2020
As renderings and three-dimensional representations get more realistic, the true complexities in achieving a reality faithful to the design still remains a challenging yet rewarding experience. Demonstrated by the design and construction of the CMU block walls, the house is deliberately considered at a multiple of scales. Matching the intent of those early modern homes in Los Angeles, the Baxter house blends history and innovation to create a habitation of familiarity and exploration.
This project was recently recognized on a national level by the AIA Technology in Architectural Practice Knowledge Community.
