Two physicians originally from India requested a modern home for their family that would define the nondescript landscape and create privacy from the adjacent street, while graciously accommodating both interior and exterior spaces for entertaining and large parties.

Creating an environment on the site, we designed a bold sculptural composition of forms and volumes, outdoor spaces and varied landscaped contours. The house is configured around a private indoor and outdoor courtyard, shaded and protected by a rolling awning for outdoor entertaining. In the rear, a lowered court exposes the basement for access and light. Excavated earth was used to raise the grade in the front to minimize the structure’s street exposure. Predominant on the exterior, a dissected drum shape encloses the living room and master bedroom. Flanking the solidity of the drum, a tower clad in translucent panels encloses and separates the stairs from the living spaces at the clients' request, its contrasting translucency and height also serving to designate and illuminate the entry.   

Intuitively carving the program in abstract forms, we sought to draw from the clients’ cultural heritage to incorporate an inspired palette of materials and artistic features. Red sandstone imported from the client’s hometown in India, and mahogany for trim and cabinetry, evoking their memory of a childhood experience in Kenya, balance the minimal spatial configurations. A temple is discretely placed behind a mahogany wall panel off the living room. The facade of a wedge-shaped fireplace wall has 72 cast aluminum panels designed and fabricated by artist Tom Penn, who took our lead in rendering a modern interpretation of Indian carved doors.

“Our house is your house” is the warm greeting we receive from the client in what has become a close collaboration and lasting friendship with the family over the years, and as we guide the owners as their trusted design advisors in the continual care of their home.