Oceanus: Modernizing a Midcentury Home in Los Angeles
Architect Donald Luckenbill, a senior architect at the practice of Paul Rudolph, completed work on Oceanus House, a stunning modernist residence situated atop Mount Olympus in Los Angeles, United States, in 1992.
Good Project Company was tasked with a thoughtful modernization of the property, employing a reductive detailing strategy to emphasize the home’s striking horizontality and the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living areas.
About Oceanus
Situated atop the iconic Mount Olympus in Los Angeles, the Oceanus House stands as a testament to visionary design. Originally constructed in 1975, this property underwent a remarkable transformation in 1992 under the skilled guidance of renowned architect Donald Luckenbill.
A Harmonious Blend of Past and Present
Luckenbill, a senior architect at the prestigious practice of Paul Rudolph, doubled the home’s footprint and completely reimagined its fundamental shape and style. However, over the years, subsequent interventions had gradually eroded the house’s cohesive charm, prompting a thoughtful modernization.
Restoring Coherence through Reductive Detailing
The Good Project Company was entrusted with the task of re-imagining the interior finishes. By employing a strategy of materially reductive detailing, the team aimed to modernize the space while returning a sense of unity. This approach emphasized the house’s most captivating features, particularly the striking horizontality that appears to float beyond the perimeter glass walls, seamlessly blending the indoor and outdoor living areas.
Enhancing the Façade and Site
As the project evolved, the scope expanded, encompassing the re-planning of key interior spaces and enhancements to the façade and site. The existing façade demanded a comprehensive modernization, with the caveat that the improvements could not impact the existing thermal envelope. To address this, the team expanded the cornice and façade projections into three stepped horizontal bands, each assuming its own compositional autonomy.
Striking the Perfect Balance
The lower band features a series of metal cables that connect the façade to the landscape, while the upper plaster band maintains the essence of the original stucco façade. The middle band of white vertical slats mediates between the two, further emphasizing the horizontality of the structure and providing an increased sense of privacy while redirecting the focus towards the picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean and Downtown Los Angeles.
A Contemporary Masterpiece
Today, the Oceanus House stands as a harmonious blend of past and present, a true architectural masterpiece that seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor living. Through the skilled execution of reductive detailing and strategic enhancements, this property has reclaimed its cohesive charm, offering a captivating and rejuvenated living experience.
Photography by Taiyo Watanabe
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