Canyon House Transforms Malibu Ranch House into Modern Family Sanctuary
Completed in 2024 by Los Angeles architecture practice Formm, Canyon House transforms a ranch house into a modern family home set within a canyon in Los Angeles, California, United States. The estate includes a main house, guest house, fitness studio, garden, orchard, and a barn converted into a state-of-the-art recording studio, creating a multifaceted retreat that caters to various aspects of life and artistic pursuits.
About Canyon House
Canyon House: The Holistic Redesign of a Ranch House in Los Angeles
Nestled within a picturesque canyon on a 6-acre estate, Canyon House is a testament to thoughtful design and meticulous craftsmanship. The project, encompassing both an interior and exterior remodel along with a significant addition, transforms a sprawling ranch home into a cohesive and modern family sanctuary. The estate includes a main house, guest house, fitness studio, garden, orchard, and a barn converted into a state-of-the-art recording studio, creating a multifaceted retreat that caters to various aspects of family life and artistic pursuits.
The clients, a songwriter, producer, and musician, along with his wife and their three young children, brought strong design sensibilities to the table. This collaborative effort allowed for harmonious blend of professional expertise and personal vision. The goal was to reimagine the previously disjointed and compartmentalized ranch house, restoring its traditional roots while introducing modern architectural elements that enhance natural light. Additionally, the design creates a greater sense of openness throughout the interiors.
The main house features large glass openings, seamlessly connecting the interior spaces to the natural surroundings of the estate. The addition of a sculptural staircase at the heart of the house serves as a design feature, connecting the two floors while providing an intentional focal point at the entry. A bespoke concrete sink in the upstairs primary bath mirrors the form of the staircase, offering continuity and reinforcing the home’s architectural narrative.
The use of natural materials, both indoors and outdoors, is a cornerstone of the redesign. The exterior facades are clad in cement board and custom copper panels designed specifically for this project. Inside, there is a careful selection of locally sourced materials including textured concrete, limestone, cedar, and oak woods. Architectural elements throughout the home are also constructed from warm woods like Douglas fir and cedar, adding an inviting touch to the interior spaces.
The modernity of the architecture subtly tames the context of the ranch house. Each room serves as a backdrop for the eclectic decorating choices made by the clients, who infused their whimsical flair into the spaces through thoughtful selections of furniture, art pieces, and materials. The result is an elegant home that seamlessly balances the traditional and the modern, the natural and the artistic.
The first phase of this holistic redesign was the remodel and addition to the main house. The following phases will see the architectural addition of the recording studio, fitout for the fitness studio and interior appointments to workspaces found throughout the estate.
The Canyon House stands as a welcoming and sophisticated haven, providing a beautiful setting for the family to grow and create lasting memories.
Photography by Sam Frost
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