Griffin Enright Architects has imagined this spectacular modern dwelling that is situated in Mandeville Canyon, a beautiful, tree-lined cul de sac with a friendly community in Los Angeles, California. This 4,600-square-foot project is situated on a knoll at the corner of a scenic canyon with panoramic city views. Developed as a series of horizontal volumes that merge with the terrain of the landscape at the rear, the front yard of the house has a presence that is distinctly more urban, vertical, and formal. 

This dichotomy is emphasized by articulating two vertical walls folded into roof surfaces to create a backdrop anchored to the horizontal terrain. These two shell-like elements shift away from one another in a plan to build a volumetric fissure where entry occurs into a vertical hall. Upon entry to the hall, a threshold redirects attention to the panoramic view through the loft-like living space beyond. Telescoping doors open the entire house into a porch-like living room.

What We Love: This light-filled modern dwelling in Mandeville Canyon seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor living in the most exquisite way. This house appears to be organically part of the canyon in every way, from height and views to narrowness and verticality. This home is one spectacular piece of architecture.

Tell Us: Please share your overall thoughts on the design of this home in the Comments below, we love reading your feedback!

Note: Have a look at a couple of our favorite home tours that we have featured here on One Kindesign from the portfolio of Griffin Enright Architects: Fascinating modern pad in Los Angeles: Birch Residence and Elegantly Designed Santa Monica Canyon Residence.

Above: The Parklex facade panels are a a resin impregnated wood product. The panels offer modern technology and warmth, while being able to withstand the most demanding weather and environmental demands. The fascia is bonderized steel.

Above: Indoor-outdoor lines are blurred courtesy of Weiland pocketing lift and slide doors with a flush bottom track. They go away into the wall on the left hand side of the image and are manually operated. The indoor-outdoor flooring is flush detail, which is feasible due to the detail of the Weiland doors. The outdoor deck beyond is fully covered and slopes away from the doors. Walls are painted in Whisper White by Dunn Edwards. Flooring is walnut with a walnut stain. The ceilings in this space are 10-6″. The linear diffusers are available through various HVAC distributors.

Above: The concrete patio flooring is an integral color concrete. You can find colors through Davis concrete colors.

Above: The kitchen island of the modern dream house is 16 feet and the desk at the end makes a total length of 18 feet. There is plenty of functional storage in this space, as the dishes are in drawers. Additional storage is tucked in a large pantry, pocket door seen to the right.

Above: The kitchen backsplash is a painted glass — blue paint on starfire (clear) glass, custom fabricated. You can get this from a glass distributor. The countertops are stainless steel.

Above: The stairs are custom fabricated, the rise is 7.2″, the tread is 11″ and the stair width is 3’9″. There is a steel plate, attached to framing in the wall, then steel treads (wrapped in walnut) cantilever from that.

Above: The bedroom walls are painted in Dunn Edwards Whisper White. A private deck features a custom railing with stainless steel bar stock, stanchions, stainless steel cables, and an Ipe cap. The transom windows are roughly 2′ and the header is roughly 11″. Window frames are custom painted aluminum. The sliders are by Fleetwood, the fixed windows are storefront.

Above: The shower walls are Simena limestone tiles 12 x 24 (as is the tub surround), while the floor is tumbled white river rock. Shower size is roughly 5′ x 3’4″. Bench in the shower is 9″ wide. The lighting is 4″ recessed low voltage lighting. Bathroom size is 8.5 x 13, while the ceiling is 11-feet high. The walls are Whisper White, Dunn Edwards, while the flooring is solid walnut.

Above: The vanity sinks are the Wetstyle, cube collection. The flooring is walnut, 6″ with a dark walnut stain.

Above: The fire pit is custom fabricated. It is a stainless steel insert with Parklex panel box. The exterior is an integral color smooth troweled stucco. The color is a custom color, created on site.

PHOTOGRAPHER Tim Street Porter