Designed for an architect and his family, the residence challenges its relationship to the landscape and investigates ideas about mass, void, light, proportion, and materiality.
The interior space is finished in a neutral palette and is further unified by custom walnut casework. In the living room, a fireplace anchors the space and provides a back drop for the seating area. The room is warmed by custom wood case work and rich velvet sofas. The dining area which is an extension of the living space is furnished with sleek dining furniture made from solid walnut and rich leather.
Enclosed by windows, the recessed kitchen acts as the hub of the residence and provides views to the backyard, pool, living areas, and outdoor patio. Custom walnut cabinetry in the kitchen is placed low to the ground leaving the upper portion of the walls free for windows. A walnut ceiling warms the open space while custom shelving provides ample room for storage.
Upstairs, floor to ceiling windows line the hallway leading into the master bedroom. A custom bed is the focal point of the room which also includes a wall of walnut casework. In the master bathroom, walnut floors and a vanity, shower, and sunken tub made of travertine add a layer of warmth to the space.
The living area extends outside and focuses on two patios, with fire places, and a pool. All are set within a lush landscape of native plants. The outdoor furniture is made from steel and walnut.
Ron Radziner, FAIA, Design Principal of Marmol Radziner, established his Los Angeles-based firm with Leo Marmol in 1989, launching a unique design-build practice led by architects. Since its inception, the 75-person firm has grown to offer a range of design services including landscape design, interior design, furniture design, and prefabricated housing.
The firm’s commitment to design excellence and to preserving architectural history has translated into an award-winning approach to its projects. Marmol Radziner was named the American Institute of Architects California 2004 Firm of the Year. In 2007, Radziner was elevated to the prestigious College of the Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. Interior Design magazine inducted Radziner into their Hall of Fame in 2009.
Radziner develops design solutions that create strong connections between indoor and outdoor spaces and provide unique architectural identities. His integration of a building’s design with the landscape produces results that have received national recognition, including American Society of Landscape Architects National Honor awards in 2008 and 2009 for the Altamira Residence in Palos Verdes, CA, and for the Vienna Way Residence in Venice, CA, respectively.
Marmol Radziner’s commercial projects include a new Fitness Center for an entertainment studio in Burbank, CA, new offices for TBWA\Chiat\Day in San Francisco, a preK-12 campus for The Accelerated School of Los Angeles, TreePeople’s LEED Platinum certified Center for Community Forestry in Los Angeles, and boutiques for James Perse, Maxfield, and Vince. Recent residential projects include homes in Sun Valley, Idaho, Santa Fe, New Mexico, East Hampton, New York, Beverly Hills, California, and Malibu, California.
Radziner has worked to restore many modern architectural icons in Southern California. In 1998, the firm completed restoration of the Kaufmann House in Palm Springs, originally designed in 1946 by Richard Neutra. In 2000, the firm completed the restoration of two other Neutra houses, the Lew and the Brown House, and restored the Elliot House, originally designed by R.M. Schindler in 1930. They recently finished restoring two houses designed by Cliff May and architect John Lautner’s iconic Garcia house.
In 2009, Ron launched Marmol Radziner Jewelry, a natural extension of his design/build architecture firm. The collection was initially inspired when Radziner could not find jewelry for himself that was neither too flamboyant nor too conservative. The resulting pieces are both elemental and elegantly balanced and are available in natural bronze, antique, and dark patina finishes, proportioned accordingly for men and women.