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bonsai house
LOCATION:
SIZE:
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Venice, CA
3,200 ft²
Single Family House
2022
Residential
Designed as a deliberate spatial journey, this compact addition and ADU unfolds as an immersive architectural gallery. Rather than operating as a static enclosure, the structure is organized as a sequence of curated vistas, using massing and fenestration as a continuous lens to frame a world-class bonsai collection. Beneath this highly choreographed visual experience, the architecture is sustained by rigorous environmental systems, integrating a rooftop photovoltaic array and a 7,200-gallon stormwater retention cistern to actively support the living landscape.
The addition and ADU are strategically sited to frame a central courtyard anchored by a mature pepper tree. Functioning as a structural backdrop for a curated bonsai collection, the architecture prioritizes site sensitivity. By actively dissolving the threshold between the built envelope and the landscape, the massing seamlessly integrates into the surrounding gardens.
The entry transports you into a naturally lit hallway from sawtooth skylights above. As you move through the space, sunlight and massive concrete frames highlight specific trees and views creating a gallery like experience in this indoor/outdoor home.
Because the primary living spaces are designed to seamlessly integrate with the exterior, maintaining a vibrant, year-round landscape was critical to the architectural experience. To achieve this sustainably during arid Los Angeles summers, a 7,200-gallon stormwater retention cistern was concealed beneath the central lawn. This high-capacity system captures ample runoff to independently sustain the lush indoor-outdoor connection without relying on municipal water.
Principal:
Design Team:
Matthew Royce
Meike Kroger
Swetha Arunkumar
Photography:
Edmund Sumner