An Architect’s Award-Winning Home Lists for $4 Million in Los Angeles

Packed with sustainable technologies, this creative compound consists of a two-level art studio and a one-bedroom house.

Sep 30, 2021 - 02:51

An Architect’s Award-Winning Home Lists for $4 Million in Los Angeles

Packed with sustainable technologies, this creative compound consists of a two-level art studio and a one-bedroom house.

A couple commissioned Warren Wagner of W3 Architects to develop one of a series of large lots they owned in Venice, Los Angeles—and the architect was shocked by how much room was left after he laid out plans for a house and a large art studio. So, when the time came to find a lot for himself and his wife, textile artist Blue McRight, Warren knew exactly where to look.

"We got lucky, and we were able to find one of the large lots with a small house in the back," he says. "It was perfect for us, and we made the first offer!"

The Studios incorporate a thermally massive 8-inch CMU block ground level structure for the utilization of direct gain passive solar design and a lighter framed second story construction of engineered lumber with fiber cement paneling at the exterior. — The ground level of the studio consists of a thermally massive eight-inch CMU block, while the second story is developed from a lighter engineered lumber with fiber cement paneling on the facade.
Photo by Carothers Photo

Contemporary flair exudes from the studio with thick block walls and polished concrete floors; though these materials dually harness the suns energy to heat and cool the home — Contemporary flair exudes from the studio, which has thick block walls and polished concrete floors.
Photo by Carothers Photo

They purchased the quarter acre 21 years ago and then set about designing a creative workspace that could accommodate both of their studio needs while they lived in the existing house in the back.

"As an artist-architect team, we both needed to have our individual studios," says Warren. "We could use the existing house as it was, and design and build the studios exactly how we wanted. We are also huge gardeners, so along with studios we wanted to design and develop a large garden."