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Design Sponge
August 13th, 2008
rachel allen architecture

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ac and i have been contemplating a west coast move for a while now and this home from los angeles-based architect rachel allen is right up my alley. homes in southern california always seem to be so clean, open and filled with light. this particular home (the pesenti-williams house in echo park) is a new project of rachel’s and is around 1700 square feet with a 400 sq. ft detached carport. i love some of the detailing she used around the house (like the moroccan-inspired tiles outside) but if you’re in the LA area you can check this out in person at the open house (sept 6th from 1-5)- click here for more information and to view more work from rachel allen architecture. [more images of the home right here]

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12 comments
Elizabeth said:
August 13th, 2008 - 10:56 am

Gorgeous!!! I especially love the stairs (they are kinda my weak spot) and the flooring! Is it a tile mosaic? Industrial vinyl? I would so love to replicate it.

Kristan said:
August 13th, 2008 - 10:57 am

Beautiful!! I love the first 5 photographs. But is that the ceiling in the 6th? I think that might be a bit much for me…

Leslie Kingery said:
August 13th, 2008 - 11:14 am

I love it-so airy! LA sometimes gets a bad rap, but I love the houses, clean interiors, sunny skies and modern bent. I always have a fabulous time visiting the area.

August 13th, 2008 - 11:20 am

beautiful house! it’s right up my alley also. however, it is a little frustrating to see so much glass exposed to the sun in southern california. talk about VERY inefficient.

August 13th, 2008 - 12:14 pm

Thanks everyone for your comments. I want to respond to Brian’s about the glass, because this is something we have been and continue to be very sensitive too. We love natural light, it saves energy and is better for humans all around. The fixed sun shades in the design will block 30% of UV and heat gain. In these photos only a mock-up of one of them has yet been installed, it’s that dark panel laser cut in a tree canopy pattern. Soon these will be continuous from end-to-end of the house. We passed the CA Energy Code (very stringent) with flying colors.

August 13th, 2008 - 12:28 pm

p.s. The tiles are cast pigmented concrete, a custom pattern, produced in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Tara said:
August 13th, 2008 - 12:33 pm

This is amazing AND green…Wow! I am in love! It really seems harmonious with its surroundings. I wish I could see more of the little spaces in it!

Marcel said:
August 13th, 2008 - 3:29 pm

Cool!!!

August 13th, 2008 - 4:50 pm

Glad to hear! I forgot CA had so many restrictions, which is a good thing! Beautiful design

Victoria said:
August 14th, 2008 - 12:07 pm

Genius.

Patricia said:
August 17th, 2008 - 12:30 pm

When I finally move back to California and can afford to build a house, I’m calling Rachel up. Such a gorgeous house and love the fact it is echo friendly to boot- always like to try to downsize my footprint.

August 18th, 2008 - 11:52 am

Correction: that first comment should read “The fixed sun shades in the design will block ALL BUT 30% of UV and heat gain.”

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