Facade of a house with wooden slats
Facade of a house with wooden slats

Renovated house in California. The elevation is Dynamic thanks to the facade with wooden slats

Architect David Hertz renovates a small house located near a beach in Marina Del Rey, California, creating a dynamic elevation outside through a play of light and natural shadows in line with the needs of the building

While maintaining the original structure, American architect David Hertz is renovating a small 35 x 90 metre house located near a beach in Marina de Rey, California

Wooden slats as facade of a house

The house is located between three buildings, very close to the street where you are not allowed to make extensions: for this reason, the facade is totally flat and dimensionless. The insertion of wooden Ipè slats without the need to increase their size makes it possible to create a dynamic elevation through a constant play of natural lights and shadows, consistent with the needs of the building

Wooden slats as facade of a house

At night the structure lights up through the veiled openings that are closed by gliding on the rails ensuring adequate privacy for the owners. During the day, slatted frames can be used to keep the shape closed or open

Wooden slats as facade of a house

The corners of the structure slide back to open the interior towards the ocean view. The Ipè slats extend upwards to act as an open railing for the roof terrace and for the addition of an outdoor office on the third floor

Wooden slats as facade of a house

The renovated interior includes new concrete floors, a new master bathroom with Japanese-style bathtub and a new kitchen. The main staircase made with Ipè planks extends from a block to connect the volume of the three-floor skylight

Wooden slats as facade of a house

The limit represented by the position that does not allow the addition of volume becomes a source of inspiration leading to a solution, that of the Ipè slats, which enriches the outside of the house giving it a style and a well-defined character adapting nicely to the style of neighboring house

Wooden slats as facade of a house

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