The Shape of Light

Our work is seen as the inventive orchestration of space realized in stone, wood, glass, and steel. But there is another, ethereal, yet fundamental component to the design–daylight. Understanding its direction, movement, and intensity in terms of the building site is the starting point. 

Daylighting is the architectural design term for the use of natural light. A space well lit with natural light utilizes sunlight as the principal source of daytime illumination. There is utility, and then there is artistry. Our designs must ensure plenty of light, but also control and direct it, creating pleasing patterns and visual rhythm, highlighting certain elements, and providing various visual effects as the hours pass. 

At W^R we start with the people who will occupy the space… and we start with light. 

Mandeville Canyon

Our Mandeville Canyon design exhibits this play of light, as ever changing throughout the day. The use of various sized portals, geometry, and color provide an emotional impact, along with lighting the space for use. Add to this the careful positioning of glass doors and walls, windows, and skylights that connect us visually to the outdoors, framing views and vistas. This project is architect Marc Whipple’s first use of his now signature narrow, vertical, “ribbon” windows. He adds, “The row of ribbon windows is a way to bring in natural light without exposing a wall full of glass. You can use them on more private sides of the house, you can use them in the front where the house is facing the street. It’s a really successful way to set up rhythm and a design so that it's graphic.” 

Marc also discusses another way to move and arrange light. “Our client was really into changing natural light at different times of the day. So, if you have a south facing room and you want north light in it, you can pull the roof up on the north side and provide a row of windows. That's what gave rise to all the different roof heights and also contributed to the decision of it being one story.”

Benedict Canyon 

The striking double height glass wall at the front of our Benedict Canyon house, which lights up the gallery space, is echoed in the glass wall of the upstairs studio, to the left of the entry pathway. Inside the main house, a glass box seating area off of the family room is cantilevered out over the property, capturing sunlight from dawn to dusk.

Ribbon windows reflect light patterns throughout the foyer.

Trousdale

Details in shadow and light are seen in the use of exposed entry roof rafter tails at our Trousdale house.

The large skylight over the central volume brings a shower of sunlight, illuminating the entire living space, down through the glass bridge walkway and into the below-grade rooms. Another skylight over the kitchen further brightens that space.

Skylights on either side of the primary bath’s glass shower bring a glow to the white marble, while providing useful lighting for the closets.

Laurel Way

The glass panels flanking the front door of our Laurel Way house flood the foyer with light, which is brought downstairs in this design through a glass floor just to the left of the entry. Below it is the wine cellar.

Also, downstairs is the home theater, which features a glass wall where before a matinee guests can enjoy a view of the sunny Zen garden. This could also serve as a quiet meditation room. 

Another typically dark and gloomy space is the garage, which here is all glass on two sides. The door opens to a great view.

Along the hallway are window seats, a sunny spot to sit and view the entry water feature.

All of our projects feature sliding window walls of glass so that whole rooms are sunlit and open to the out of doors. A few of the homes have standout features in terms of walls of glass and views.

Hopen Place

At our Hopen Place house, the primary bedroom’s walls are floor to ceiling glass.

Marc was one of the first in LA to put windows inside of the pool, so that blue light filters into the below grade room. These are seen in the home theater.

Light on Water

Light can also be reflected off of water to dazzling effect. 

At our 9342 Sierra Mar house, water is brought to the edge of the living space, creating a delightful sparkle and reflection in the adjoining indoor rooms.

At our Mandeville Canyon house, sunlight reflecting on the pool’s surface shimmers through the glass walls and various sized portal windows that dapple the exterior of the house. Indoor spaces fill with the playful dance of light and shadows. Here too, the design extends the pool right up to the wall of the house, for an entrancing feeling of living both indoors and out. At night, outdoor fire features and the lights from inside the home reflect in the dark waters of the pool, creating a mesmerizing dazzle of primal elements.

At our Benedict Canyon house, illuminated pools of water dot the property, at the entrance to the main house, below the stairs to the guest studio, and inside of the living room itself. The glowing waters add a contemplative and meditative feel, as the lights in them shine upwards, creating fathomless depths.

The presence of natural light enhances an indoor outdoor feeling, and can add a sense of awe and expansiveness to a home. Experience the shape of light in our modern design homes.