summit house
project name
summit house
location
beverly hills, ca
completion date
september 2011
project team
architect: marc whipple aia
media coverage
Our clients for this project were a family intent on staying closely connected, even while moving to a considerably larger home. This was accomplished with the use of energy efficient glass walls throughout, an open floor plan, sight lines between floating levels, and rooms allowing the family members to stay connected visually throughout the space. They had a passion for modernism and had collected several art pieces, and we included these in our 3D models, so we could make sure scale and placement were considered.
One of the owners is a well-known sports agent, making the entertaining of adults, as well as teenage children and their friends an essential design goal. Summit house holds examples of our interest in both modern functionality and innovation. Prior to construction an old home on the property was intricately deconstructed, so that its building materials, fixtures, and appliances could be reused or donated to non-profit organizations.
The new residence is a series of vertical and horizontal floating planes. It uses extensive solar power, a gray-water reclamation system, and sound passive-solar design elements, making it the first house permitted under the city of Beverly Hills’ Green Building Ordinance. The house is “smart,” using a computer to control shades and the gray water system, as well as the entertainment centers. The bowling alley on the lower level features an "underwater view" into the pool via custom windows. Oversized pocket doors and a 10 'X 10' glass float-away wall separate the central gallery, family room, and kitchen from the exterior terraces and pool, and when open, the outside is inside.
