Form, environment, research, or (fer), is the Los Angeles-based studio that created this renovation project located in West Hollywood, California. The original 1,800 square foot structure, built in the 1980?s, was expanded to 4,500 square feet.The owner, a frequent traveler to Thailand and Cambodia, desired a look that fused a South East Asian expression with a modern contemporary aesthetic. The approach was to incorporate rich natural materials, indoor-outdoor living and create dedicated areas to display the owners vast collection of artifacts. The exterior of the home is enveloped in red mangaris exterior wood cladding; indoor and outdoor spaces flow into one another through retractable doors, full height glass walls, and harmonized materials. Artifacts are peppered throughout in display nooks, on axis, and as focal points.The backyard is blanketed with bright green vegetation, a glass mosaic tiled pool, and an oversized white daybed that connects the pool area with the outdoor living and dining rooms. Now shallower, the existing kidney shaped pool was redesigned to incorporate a jacuzzi and a 3” deep wading pool for “floating” lounge furniture. The intimate outdoor living room sits to the West-side of the home and includes a built-in sofa, twin fire pits and white travertine pavers. It leads to the outdoor dining room, the home’s primary dining area. At the entrance of the home, a 14’ full height glass jewel box displays the interior floating staircase made from 100-year old reclaimed teak, glass, and blackened steal. Beyond the custom-made pivoting forms-and -surfaces bonded metal steel door, the interior is bright, clean and open-concept.
