View of Kirby from street showing how the detached garage and house are integrated to the hillside.

kirby Residence

....... location: .Highland Park, CA
...... program: .Residential
.............area: .2,300 sf
...........client: .Private
..........status: .Permitting

Situated on a hillside in Highland Park, the Kirby residence is designed in response to its demanding site and opportunistic views of Los Angeles. Rather than combining the garage and house into one, the house was separated and oriented towards the highest possible point on the hillside to fully capture the hillside’s views while reducing any wasteful excavations. The garage, while functioning individually from the house, is designed with its own deck to compliment the main residence.

Front façade of the physical model highlighting the projects orientation and views out from the hillside.

The roof form is designed to complement the site’s slope while giving the overall house a conceptual strategy that ultimately generates its distinct character in form and plan.

Back façade of the physical model which studies window placement for optimal views and sunlight.

To have the garage attached to the house would mean having impossibly large retaining walls.

Instead, the garage was separated and placed closer to the street; reducing grading costs and creating greater site accessibility.

Placement of garage provided a solution to retaining wall heights and entry access.

Building roof form is generated through the site’s stringent height limits.

Second floor is designed to open up the living spaces to outdoor decks.

Openings are incorporated to second floor for views and cross ventilation.

Carving of balconies and windows inform the overall building form.

Resulting form is a direct response to topographical constraints and desire to open the house to the site.

First floor plan

Second floor plan

Third floor plan

Entry stair and garage

Entry stair and roof deck

kirby Residence

....... location: .Highland Park, CA ...... program: .Residential .............area: .2,300 sf ...........client: .Private ..........status: .Permitting

....... location: .Highland Park, CA
...... program: .Residential
.............area: .2,300 sf
...........client: .Private
..........status: .Permitting