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Project posted by Dutton Architects

La Mesa Residence

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The design of Dutton Architects reinforced the idea of simple rooms built around an open courtyard, linked by a deep roof overhang for shade. The idea is basically an interpretation of a traditional Spanish courtyard house or hacienda. In this image, one can see that the front door leads to a covered vestibule that is open to the air and views.
The design of Dutton Architects reinforced the idea of simple rooms built around an open courtyard, linked by a deep roof overhang for shade. The idea is basically an interpretation of a traditional Spanish courtyard house or hacienda. In this image, one can see that the front door leads to a covered vestibule that is open to the air and views.
This view from the entry vestibule. A paved floor of custom terracotta tiles, covered by a deep covered wood pergola, leads to a view of the pool in the foreground, the Riviera Country Club in the middle ground, and the Santa Monica Mountains in the background. The idea of a passively shaded, cooled building, along with radiant heat in all floor surfaces, inside and out, made air-conditioning not necessary. Our client wanted to feel that he was living life simply as they would have when the original house was built, without the need for modern cooling and heating technologies.
This view from the entry vestibule. A paved floor of custom terracotta tiles, covered by a deep covered wood pergola, leads to a view of the pool in the foreground, the Riviera Country Club in the middle ground, and the Santa Monica Mountains in the background. The idea of a passively shaded, cooled building, along with radiant heat in all floor surfaces, inside and out, made air-conditioning not necessary. Our client wanted to feel that he was living life simply as they would have when the original house was built, without the need for modern cooling and heating technologies.
Entry Vestibule to Living Room This is a view to the original living room from the entry vestibule. The handpainted tiles are original and were saved for use in the restoration. The walls are original adobe.Entry Vestibule to Living Room This is a view to the original living room from the entry vestibule. The handpainted tiles are original and were saved for use in the restoration. The walls are original adobe.
Entry Vestibule to Living Room This is a view to the original living room from the entry vestibule. The handpainted tiles are original and were saved for use in the restoration. The walls are original adobe.Entry Vestibule to Living Room This is a view to the original living room from the entry vestibule. The handpainted tiles are original and were saved for use in the restoration. The walls are original adobe.
Entry Vestibule to the Kitchen Across the entry vestibule from the living room is the new kitchen- part of the addition to the original house. A pair of paneled wood doors can close down the kitchen and the living room from the entry vestibule. But when opened, it creates a large continuous connection through both sides of the house. The kitchen is clearly more modern than the original house, a fact Dutton Architects did not want to hide.
Entry Vestibule to the Kitchen Across the entry vestibule from the living room is the new kitchen- part of the addition to the original house. A pair of paneled wood doors can close down the kitchen and the living room from the entry vestibule. But when opened, it creates a large continuous connection through both sides of the house. The kitchen is clearly more modern than the original house, a fact Dutton Architects did not want to hide.
The original living room featured tall heavy timber trusses, wood ceilings and floors, a massive fireplace, and french doors with decorative iron screens. Dutton Architects sandblasted the ceiling and trusses, rebuilt the fireplace, restored the adobe walls, replaced the doors and windows, and installed a new floor with radiant heat.
The original living room featured tall heavy timber trusses, wood ceilings and floors, a massive fireplace, and french doors with decorative iron screens. Dutton Architects sandblasted the ceiling and trusses, rebuilt the fireplace, restored the adobe walls, replaced the doors and windows, and installed a new floor with radiant heat.
Through new additions, Dutton Architects created a courtyard, with a central fountain, a decomposed granite (d.g.) surface, and corner and edge plantings of native plants that might have been used in the original 1920’s house.
Through new additions, Dutton Architects created a courtyard, with a central fountain, a decomposed granite (d.g.) surface, and corner and edge plantings of native plants that might have been used in the original 1920’s house.
The kitchen was designed with all the modern detailing- flush overlay white-oak cabinetry, Caesarstone counters, Wolf appliances, etc, but Dutton Architects carefully tweaked the details to work with the toughness of the rest of the house. The counter, for example, is 3 1/2″ thick.
The kitchen was designed with all the modern detailing- flush overlay white-oak cabinetry, Caesarstone counters, Wolf appliances, etc, but Dutton Architects carefully tweaked the details to work with the toughness of the rest of the house. The counter, for example, is 3 1/2″ thick.
The kitchen counter steps up to bar counter height, then waterfalls down to the ground in order to create an informal sitting area with bar stools. This area also creates an informal separate of the kitchen from the adjacent family room. The custom wood paneled doors are visible on the left, and the door to the wet room/ laundry in the rear right. The ceiling is a custom stained doug fir and the floor are wide oak planks (with radiant heat below).
The kitchen counter steps up to bar counter height, then waterfalls down to the ground in order to create an informal sitting area with bar stools. This area also creates an informal separate of the kitchen from the adjacent family room. The custom wood paneled doors are visible on the left, and the door to the wet room/ laundry in the rear right. The ceiling is a custom stained doug fir and the floor are wide oak planks (with radiant heat below).
View of the kitchen showing the eating counter. The caesarstone countertop also continues up to be a monolithic backsplash.
View of the kitchen showing the eating counter. The caesarstone countertop also continues up to be a monolithic backsplash.
View of the kitchen showing the eating counter. The caesarstone countertop also continues up to be a monolithic backsplash.
View of the kitchen showing the eating counter. The caesarstone countertop also continues up to be a monolithic backsplash.
The master bathroom features a vaulted ceiling in stained douglas fir, a freestanding walnut cabinet that doubles as a privacy divider for the toilet, a limestone counter that integrates with the tall cabinet, a limestone floor, and a steam shower.
The master bathroom features a vaulted ceiling in stained douglas fir, a freestanding walnut cabinet that doubles as a privacy divider for the toilet, a limestone counter that integrates with the tall cabinet, a limestone floor, and a steam shower.
View of the custom walnut and limestone vanity.
View of the custom walnut and limestone vanity.
A large steel sash window is placed next to the tub. An awning window right next to the head of the tub opens so that the bather feels they are in the garden. A small fountain has been placed just outside to create a tranquil environment. The bathtub is a ‘Happy D’ from Duravit, and emerges from the custom limestone tub deck.
A large steel sash window is placed next to the tub. An awning window right next to the head of the tub opens so that the bather feels they are in the garden. A small fountain has been placed just outside to create a tranquil environment. The bathtub is a ‘Happy D’ from Duravit, and emerges from the custom limestone tub deck.
The home office in La Mesa Residence has been placed between the main house and the master bedroom suite in an outside area. The terra cotta floors of the terrace come into this room, and the high wood ceilings are a continuation of the pergola roof. "By using the Hopes steel-sash doors and windows we were able to make this outdoor space actually an interior home office space," say Dutton Architects.
The home office in La Mesa Residence has been placed between the main house and the master bedroom suite in an outside area. The terra cotta floors of the terrace come into this room, and the high wood ceilings are a continuation of the pergola roof. "By using the Hopes steel-sash doors and windows we were able to make this outdoor space actually an interior home office space," say Dutton Architects.
The roof of La Mesa Residence extends above an outdoor room that can be used for casual dining, shaded lounging during the day, or simply relaxing by the fire in the evenings.
The roof of La Mesa Residence extends above an outdoor room that can be used for casual dining, shaded lounging during the day, or simply relaxing by the fire in the evenings.
The details of this outdoor but covered room integrate the exterior and interior details. The flooring and roof match the pergola, and the massive walls and fireplace, along with the custom historic iron chandelier, make it feel like a room. The arched opening frames views of the Santa Monica mountains.
The details of this outdoor but covered room integrate the exterior and interior details. The flooring and roof match the pergola, and the massive walls and fireplace, along with the custom historic iron chandelier, make it feel like a room. The arched opening frames views of the Santa Monica mountains.
A view of the guest house and the mountains beyond.
A view of the guest house and the mountains beyond.
The guest house opens up to a covered terrace through full-height ‘lift and slide’ doors. The Santa Barbara stone of the pool deck continues in as the floor of the guest house.
The guest house opens up to a covered terrace through full-height ‘lift and slide’ doors. The Santa Barbara stone of the pool deck continues in as the floor of the guest house.

Credits

From Dutton Architects

Our client, head of a music recording company, for whom we had designed a couple very modern projects, bought a historic adobe house by John Byers, one of the preeminent architects of Los Angeles in the first half of the twentieth century.

Dutton Architects relished the challenge of respecting the history and craft of the original, yet through additions and renovations, making it livable for twentieth-century living. The restoration of the original was guided by the consultant that oversees the Getty Trust’s adobe restoration projects.