Olson Kundig is an architecture and design firm of 175 strong, based between offices in Seattle and New York, U.S.A. The firm has an extensive roster of projects worldwide and encompasses both an in-house interiors studio and a landscape design studio. Their most recent work, this jaw-dropping California home, stole my attention.

Image credit: Collywood project, Olson Kundig, Nic Lehoux.

This high-tech West Hollywood retreat is located just above the Sunset Strip and overlooks Los Angeles with sweeping views that stretch from the San Gabriel Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. Maximizing access to these breath-taking views from all parts of the home was a key design directive for Olson Kundig.

The primary objective was to achieve as much of an ‘outside-in’ aesthetic as possible - given the amazing location. Blurring the boundaries between inside and outside as much as possible was a driving factor of the project because the client comes from a background of outdoor adventures, as a result he wanted the house to feel like an adventure to him and his many guests. The use of custom-designed and automated elements throughout all three levels contribute to the home’s uniquely modern identity.

On the home’s main level, which contains the kitchen, dining and living areas, a series of retractable window walls open the home completely to outdoor terraces wrapping the exterior. Sliding window walls in the living area, kitchen, and north bedroom complement a pair of “guillotine” window walls in the dining area and two pivoting window walls on the south side of the living area.

Together, this substantial series of operable window walls merges indoor and outdoor spaces, extending the liveable space outside into the temperate Southern California climate. The main terrace off the dining and living area leads to a swimming pool overlooking a grove of olive trees on the hillside below, with the Los Angeles city skyline stretching out in the distance.

“This connection to the outdoors continues on the upper level, which contains the master bedroom and a den, home gym, and a series of roof decks. The lower level reflects the client’s personal interests and hobbies, containing an auto gallery, game room and media room. A large outdoor terrace extends from the auto gallery, cantilevering out over the hillside with unobstructed views of the cityscape.”

Olsun Kundig have a unique approach to their projects. Working with artists and craftspeople is integral to the way their firm operates.

“In some cases, the architecture becomes the vessel that supports specific art installations. In others, the architecture and art are formed together to create a seamless spatial experience. In nearly all of its projects, the firm works with craftspeople to fabricate specific elements that support the larger intent.”

Frequently, evidence of a maker’s hand will remain explicit and embedded throughout a project; perhaps a steel worker’s grind marks will be visible on a metal rail, or the rough edges of a sawn wood piece will be left exposed. This valuing of craft has its origin in part in the firm’s location in the Pacific Northwest (Seattle and New York), and also in its understanding of buildings as collaborative efforts that involve not just the architect, but the contractor and the workers as well.

The emphasis on craft is an outgrowth of Olson Kundig’s contextual approach to design, as working with artists and craftspeople local to our projects around the world helps the work tell an authentic story of its place.

Discover more projects and about the work of Olson Kundig at Olson Kundig.com.

Feature: Rory Robertson

Images: Olson Kundig

California living, from architecture firm Olson Kundig

© Rory Robertson 2023