October 15, 2012

SoCal Design Leads AIA LA’s Tour of Four Exclusive Zipcodes




Inspired by the strict regulations in historic Brentwood, Peter Grueneisen approached the design of this massive 4,200-square-foot home with a mid-century modern sensibility and a strong focus on sustainability.








Inspired by the strict regulations in historic Brentwood, Peter Grueneisen approached the design of this massive 4,200-square-foot home with a mid-century modern sensibility and a strong focus on sustainability.


Ever wanted a sneak peek at some of the most luxurious, modern homes in Los Angeles? Then mark your calendar for Sunday, October 28, when the

American Institute of Architects, Los Angeles Chapter (AIA LA)

presents its Four Exclusive Zipcodes tour. Sponsored by

Gruen Associates

as the last of the AIA LA’s 2012 Modernist/Contemporary tour series, the self-driven, self-guided tour will feature four homes that exemplify how today’s top architects turn to modernism as a continued influence on contemporary design.

“In keeping with the modernist/contemporary twist of all our fall tours, AIA LA has selected renovated and newly built homes in exclusive zip codes that give a nod to the modernist tradition of the SoCal architecture,” says Carlo Caccavale, Associate Director, Hon. AIA LA. “Updating a mid-century home is a big challenge and for many architects it is not so much about bringing back the residence to the original design but asking the question

what would the original designer do if he lived today?



Restoring the integrity and structure of the original 700-square-foot 1946 house by Rolf Sklarek in 1946, Richard Berliner used sustainable materials as he added an additional 1,500 square feet in 2006.








Restoring the integrity and structure of the original 700-square-foot 1946 house by Rolf Sklarek in 1946, Richard Berliner used sustainable materials as he added an additional 1,500 square feet in 2006.


Two of the homes, one in Palisades and the other in Brentwood, were recently restored, while those located in the Birds and in the Sunset Hills of West Hollywood are new constructions. Five architects share their work on these homes and honor and celebrate Southern California’s rich design tradition: Richard Berlineer, AIA; Frank Escher, AIA;  Ravi GuneWardena, AIA; Peter Grueneisen, FAIA; and Barton Phelps, FAIA.

“AIA|LA is happy to continue a program that offers the community at large the opportunity to better understand the roots of our local contemporary design, enter exclusive homes, meet architects, understand and be inspired by beautiful architecture,” says Caccavale. “As one of our members recently said, being exposed to beautiful, meaningful architecture changes your brain chemistry — we know it is for the better”.

The tour will last from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be held rain or shine. Ticket prices are $65 for AIA members, $75 for on-members and can be purchased ahead of time

here

. Tickets are also available on the day of the tour for $85.



Barton Phelps, FAIA, brings back some of this home's existing design elements and details (including the restoration of a hidden asymmetrical firebox) in the style of Richard Neutra, the original architect.








Barton Phelps, FAIA, brings back some of this home’s existing design elements and details (including the restoration of a hidden asymmetrical firebox) in the style of Richard Neutra, the original architect.



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