Though Moore House was originally designed by Craig Ellwood in 1965, the newly restored house by Woods + Dangaran is a respectful design that enhances its rich history for both the owners and the wider Los Angeles architectural community. However, once owned by a local band that left it in disrepair, the home needed a complete renovation of both exterior and interior design. Tasked with this challenge, Woods + Dangaran has infused contemporary design methods that restore the midcentury home’s character in a modern light. As the architect and interior designer, Woods + Dangaran were able to save the home through a thoughtful and delicate renovation. From the street, the finished design of the restored house appears above the carport and unfolds in a rectangular form, where the majority of the original structural and interior elements have been kept.

Throughout the restored house, two of the main kept character elements are seen in the two bookends of the original home. The first bookend holds the new fireplace, which is maintained in both its original proportion and location and modernised with a patinaed brass that wraps around it. The second is a galley kitchen that allows for more functional space within the restored house. Additionally, the original, white-painted drywalls are upgraded to a Burmese teak panel and, to showcase a consistency through the interior design, the hardwood flooring is the same Burmese teak finished in a similar proportion and layout as the original home.

As the owners wanted the contemporary design to play on the high contrast of Moore House’s original form, Woods + Dangaran employed marble and stones throughout the home. Additionally, a tile splashback in the kitchen acts as both an art installation and a link to the small porcelain tiles used in other areas of the restored house. Furthermore, the interior plumbing fixtures, door hardware and detailing have metal inlays that are all lacquered brass and will patina over time to be more consistent with the home’s original design. However, to reduce the amount of attention paid to permanent materials, Woods + Dangaran places attention upon the home’s drapery, furnishings, rugs and textiles found throughout the interior design.

Built into the hillside of Los Angeles, the home’s landscape is lifted up from the city and given its own private oasis, with gardens to retreat to and a pool to enjoy. Adding to the sanctuary-inspired yard – and as requested by the owners – is the original koi pond that was kept and restored to complement the gardens and lead to the newly built pool. Often thought of as an original part of Moore House, the pool is a new addition that has been built with concrete masonry units that were found on the foundation of the original home. Wanting to respect the history of Moore House, Woods + Dangaran stays respectful to Craig Ellwood’s design whilst also giving its owners an iconic midcentury home that empowers the history of Los Angeles architecture.

00:00 - Introduction to the Magical Restored House
00:30 - The Clients Simple Goals
00:43 - The History of Mid-Century Tropical Modernism
01:05 - The Restoration Process
01:46 - Designing Inline with Craig Ellwood's Style
02:34 - Playing on High Contrast and Linking Spaces
03:32 - Background Architecture
03:53 - The Advantage of Hillside Properties
04:22 - Interesting Features of the Home
04:44 - Respecting the History
05:00 - Preservation and Timeless Design

For more from The Local Project:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thelocalproject/
Website – https://thelocalproject.com.au/
Print Publication – https://thelocalproject.com.au/publication/
Hardcover Book – https://thelocalproject.com.au/book/
The Local Project Marketplace – https://thelocalproject.com.au/marketplace/

To subscribe to The Local Project's Tri-Annual Print Publication, see here – https://thelocalproject.com.au/subscribe/

Photography by Joe Fletcher.
Architecture and Interior Design by Woods + Dangaran.
Filmed and Edited by Cheer Squad Film Co.
Production by The Local Project.

The Local Project acknowledges the traditional territories and homelands of the Indigenous peoples in the United States. We recognise the importance of Indigenous peoples in the identity of our respective countries and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present and extend that respect to all Indigenous people of these lands.

#RestoredHouse #Architecture #Design

SyncID: MB01KW26TMFZ6II