The Angelo Drive Residence, Bel Air is sited on a four acre hillside site with a variety of natural characteristics that directly influence the development of the project. The site is steep - 150 vertical feet from the entry point at the top to the lowest point of the property. The upper site is a promontory, with views over Beverly Hills.  The low...

The Angelo Drive Residence, Bel Air is sited on a four acre hillside site with a variety of natural characteristics that directly influence the development of the project. The site is steep - 150 vertical feet from the entry point at the top to the lowest point of the property. The upper site is a promontory, with views over Beverly Hills.  The lower site is lush and wooded, framed by ravines to the East and West with a network of nature trails that lend it a park like atmosphere.

The architectural concept follows the existing hillside topography, creating a series of terraced spaces that trace the natural contours of the hillside. The approach both minimizes the excavations, allowing for a net zero grading condition, and maximizes the opportunities to open the interior spaces to the beautiful natural setting.

The upper, private quarters are expressed as a carved sculptural object. The lower story is cut into the hillside and rendered in solid stone walls.

Between these two bands of program is the main living/ entertaining level which is largely transparent, with walls of that slide away and open onto a generous terrace overlooking the pool area.

The living room, galleries, library and office are located to the East of this main floor, the latter in contained volumes set within the overall building.  To the West lie the formal dining room, framed by stone fireplaces, and kitchens and an informal outdoor dining terrace.

The building materials are stone, wood and glass - with the terraced planes floating over one another to create a series of flowing indoor-outdoor spaces that engage the natural landscape from its plateau like heights to its wooded downslope areas.

The Angelo Drive Residence received the Los Angeles Architecture Award for best Single Family Residence concept for 2011.  Once built, the project will be instantly recognized as an architectural icon not seen since the 1960’s era of great Los Angeles modern masterpieces.