This project called for the conversion of a home, nestled in a rocky hillside, into a wellness center and private retreat. Built in 1961, the house was comprised of a complex timber-framed pavilion perched within the tree canopy. Our intervention focused on three intentions: to completely open the glass pavilion on the upper level, to transform the lower level into a monolithic plinth that mediates between the pavilion and the landscape, and to insert an addition with a hovering green roof above and an indoor pool below within the cliff-side. The goal of the upper level was to
respect the existing structure while opening the pavilion to create flexible studio spaces for meditation and Tai chi practice. The lower level provides guest accommodations, workout spaces, spa facilities, private mediation areas, and a theater.
Passive House principles were used as much as possible throughout the renovation and addition to compensate for the historic glass and timber-frame pavilion above. The lower level was entirely rebuilt with particular attention paid to air-sealing, adding insulation, installing heat recovery ventilators, and installing high-performance fenestration to take advantage of the superior air quality resulting from Passive House design. The indoor pool built upon the knowledge from previous indoor pool projects, improving upon various design aspects as a result of continuing post-occupancy evaluations. Throughout the entire building, Barlis Wedlick worked to perform extensive natural and artificial lighting simulations. The building continuously monitors local weather conditions to dynamically adjust the lighting to complement natural lighting conditions in each space
Category:Restorations-RenovationsYear:2018Location:Los Angeles, California, USAArchitects:BarlisWedlick Architects LLCLead Architects: Alan Barlis and Andrew LefkowitzContractor: Patrick MorrisseyClient: Jon MillerPhotographer: Peter Aaron
