Wednesday, April 08, 2020

Architecture Wednesday: My Sunset Blvd.


I’ve got a secret … I’ve always wanted to be Norma Desmond, living in a ramshackle mansion on Sunset Blvd. But, since ramshackle is hard to find, and Sunset Blvd is a little less residential, I’ll take this opulent modern home that sits above Sunset Blvd, in LA.

And there are some tricks to the house; while it sits on a generous 28,033-square-foot property, the challenge to the architects as how to make this sprawling 14,000 square foot, three-story home fit into a single story community. That was achieved by dropping the main level eight feet to allow for the increase in floor area and keep the entire house within the neighnorhood’s required sixteen-foot height.

The entry features a basalt rotunda, separating the house from the street where a two-story water wall spills into a water garden, while an infinity edge swimming pool in the back offers the most spectacular skyline views. The form of the swimming pool is generated by the contours of the property and the maximum height allowed above grade. 

The entire house was pushed to extremes. The upper level was rotated ninety degrees to decrease visibility from the street, while enabling the creation of a rooftop deck on the otherwise green roof. The master bedroom was designed to cantilever over the garden, forming a covered patio space below. “The concept for living spaces is a glass pavilion with minimal walls, allowing a direct visual connection between the entry water garden and the pool beyond.

A basement garage area plays host to a car display space, a bar, a golf simulation room, and a cigar patio; it also houses a media room, lounge, gym, staff quarters, a second indoor kitchen, a wellness area with a float tank and hydro-tub.

Now all I need is a turban, a manservant named Max—will MaxGoldberg do—and a Joe Gillis … maybe a Jose Gillis?

I’m ready for my close-up …


11 comments:

  1. Sunset Boulevard deserves a yearly watch. Really. That movie is a CLASSIC.
    Now, on to the house. Damn. Seriously. That’s a HOUSE. It probably costs all of the money. It’s beautiful, but I find it intimidating. Like sleeping with a porn star.

    XoXo

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  2. Now surprisingly, I love the house. But I don't know I would want to live there year round. It's chic and clean, but I like a little more warmth. But I guess I could be comfortable there on weekends.When I was out there years ago, Cali Boi gave me a great tour....the homes there are insane.

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  3. Luxury on a whole another level. Whoa. Stunning place! And it's huge. Yup, this is a good one.

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  4. @Six
    Between Sunset Blvd and All About Eve, I'm a happy man.
    And you're right about the porn star; it has that vibe!

    @MM
    I find the house amazing but it's a bit too much even for me ... unless I get to play Norma all the time. And the houses out there are insane!

    @Hot
    Luxury, yeas, but I'm not sure about living there all the time!

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  5. I love this one, naturally. I wouldn't want to live in L.A. though. I would probably live in the pool. Give me some pool boys, houseboys and landscapers (preferably boys) and I'm all set!
    I've never seen Sunset Blvd. Just the Carol Burnett Show version. That was enough for me. Bobulah, dear heart, you are much too macho to be Norma!

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  6. Anonymous5:22 PM

    I lived in LA for a year. Sunset Boulevard is mainly commercial. But there are some great hidden gems on the side streets. Think "Bird Streets." They are North of Sunset at All streets are named after birds. RuPaul lived one of those streets. Also, where Book Soup is located there are some great homes behind the store-South. I used to love walking through the neighborhood. LA does have some beautiful homes. The one featured is no exception. I remember while in LA the friend I was staying with drove me to Beverly Hills-it is on a hill-we parked and just looked out on the vistas of LA. One thing that I noticed is that a lot of the homes/mansions strived to cover the front of their property. They used gates, walls, landscaping, and whatnot. I have always been a practical girl. I really don't like big, big, homes. If I can't use all of the rooms frequently, then it is too big. I want something cozy.

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  7. Wow, Bob. Norma Desmond would be proud.
    You had me at infinity swimming pool - only seen a couple in my lifetime - prettiest one was in Puerto Vallarta.
    Oh, for those times again.
    You and Carlos stay safe and sane.

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  8. Talented architects!
    xoxo :-)

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  9. That's actually a fairly cool house. I'm very impressed.

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  10. So turned off by this one. I suppose because it screams LA and I immediately imagined Mariah Carey sprawling across the cushions in the middle of that pool.

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  11. I am not a fan of stairs, but I could live there. Easily!

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