The Next Chapter

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Studio Peter Hamilton and Ryan Tyni Architecture construct a new phase of life for a self-proclaimed minimalist

Windows and doors by Western Doors and Windows allow light to flood in the great room that features a pendant by Brendan Ravenhill the sofa is by Marmol Radziner. Photo by Stephen Schauer.

“The driving philosophy was efficiency, minimalism and materiality,” says architect Peter Hamilton, founder and principal of Studio Peter Hamilton about the design intention behind this 3,500-square-foot home he designed in collaboration with Ryan Tyni Architecture, for a native Angeleno who was entering a new phase in life. “He has flirted with the idea of retiring away from L.A. in a more open, private area, but couldn’t move past the amazing weather and the food,” says Hamilton. “He was a newly-minted empty nester and was looking for a home that would better reflect and cater to this new chapter of life: one that was more centric to his day-to-day and ‘cool place’ so that his twenty-something twin boys would want to crash and hang.”

The landscape architecture is by GSLA Studio. Photo by Stephen Schauer.
“Bringing in the light and taking advantage of the L.A. climate was always a part of the design conversation,” says Hamilton. Photo by Stephen Schauer.

After accepting L.A. would be his forever home, the client’s main goal was to fully integrate every interior space with the outdoors while still maintaining privacy. “We installed tall windows in the great room that allow light to move across the space on the white walls changing colors throughout the day and seasons,” says Hamilton. “There was a large focus on materiality and minimalism: letting the textures in the space create the warmth and emotion vs. decor, over-display of art, books, etc.”

Photo by Stephen Schauer.
In the primary bathroom, the fixtures are from Kohler’s Purist line and the Iceland sink is by Boffi.
Photo by Stephen Schauer.

Being the house was designed exclusively for the client’s own lifestyle, the team ensured all areas of the property were thoughtfully utilized. What would have traditionally been a guest bedroom, became a home gym. Space allotted for the dining room area was used to create a larger lounge and media area. “Our client Chris, said he spends most of his time in the kitchen and living room, so our emphasis was on the great room,” notes Hamilton. “During our first meeting, he told us with a smirk that he wanted a sexy kitchen and a doggie door for his last dog Riley.”

Photo by Stephen Schauer

Aside from building an outstanding new home, the best outcome of the project was the friendship formed between Hamilton and his client. “He absolutely loves the house,” Hamilton remarks. “He and I have become good friends, and every once in a while he’ll text me a photo of the view from wherever he is sitting at that moment in the house, and the photo is always accompanied with a smile emoji.  There is nothing better for an architect to get than that.”