Sapire Residence by Abramson Architects

Location: Pacific Palisades, California, USA Type: Single-Family Residential Size: 18,000 sq ft Year: 2019

Team:
David Pascu, Partner
Trevor Abramson, Founding Partner
Andrew Jagoda, Contractor

Organic Materials Layered in the Mountains

With a spectacular view of the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, the Sapire Residence is opened up for a fresh sea breeze and panoramic views. Minimal in form, the layered design flows with an open and relatively informal floorplan to suit the needs of the homeowners. Use of material is central to the design philosophy. The surrounding landscape is reflected in the home through various types of wood. Industrial board form concrete is utilized throughout which perfectly mimics the pattern and grain of the adjacent wood panels to create a continuous flow. Pebble and stone surfaces further integrate the nearby mountainside. Operable walls pull abundant daylighting deep into the common spaces. Six reconfigurable screens shield occupants from heat gain and the afternoon wind, allowing the owners to enjoy unobstructed ocean views any time of day or year. In three distinct locations, landscaped topography “fingers” heighten one’s awareness of the natural hillside. Bridges span over these fingers, enhancing and extending the natural graded areas deep into the heart of the home. The design solution offers new perspectives for experiencing the owner’s prized views while providing a glimpse of the topography as it stood before the house was set upon it. Meticulous craftsmanship and authentic building materials are recurring themes best exemplified by the widespread use of board-formed concrete walls, white oak shiplap wall cladding, and painted galvanized steel doors and windows. A datum of wall elevations was carefully laid out to align the joints of the seemingly random board-formed concrete with the adjacent wood boards that come in 3”, 4”, 5”, and 6” widths. Floors, ceilings, steps, lighting, speakers, keypad controls, and outlets were all carefully placed so that no element ever interrupts a joint in the boards.
The master suite features a sitting room accented by an artisanal punched metal fireplace. A gracious skylight illuminates the wood paneled hallway and show closets. The en-suite his/her bathroom configuration includes direct pool access and a private patio connected to the marble-clad double walk-in shower.

Abramson Architects