RIDGELINE HOUSE
Los Angeles, CA
Perched high on a hill in the heart of the Arroyo Seco watershed, this mid-century house – with its graphic 'gull wing' roofline – was oriented to capture the 360-degree panorama of views surrounding it. Designed by Mortimer Matthews for his own family, it remained in nearly original condition for decades before Elysian and Montalba undertook an inspired collaboration to bring a fresh contemporary perspective to its mid-century ethos.
The challenge was to build on the minimalism and transparence inherent in the original design to amplify visual connections between the rooms on the interior and the exterior spaces that wrap around the house. Outdoor spaces have been reimagined with particular attention to framing views in every direction – city views to the east, west, and south, and views of the undeveloped habitat of the upper Arroyo Seco to the north.
