Project: Ridge Residence
Architecture: Hsu McCullough
Structural Engineering: Parker Resnick
Builder: Dynamic Builders
Location: Sherman Oaks, California, United States
Area: 3099 ft2
Year: 2020
Photo Credits: Dan Arnold, Joe Fletcher
Text by Hsu McCullough
Ridge Residence is a captivating orchestration of forms, textures and brawny materiality: Standard components, raw materials and living plants were assembled to create a unified whole on top of a mountain ridge in Sherman Oaks framing the oak tree dotted Fossil Ridge Park hillside and San Fernando Valley floor beyond.
This modern home with a brise-soleil facade is two stories with a walk-out basement as it opens to a private rear yard patio. Energy efficiency was addressed with two large garden roofs over interior spaces offering a thermal barrier that is also visually pleasing, attracting hummingbirds and bees throughout the year.
At the rear, Ridge Residence establishes a clear and intimate relationship with the surrounding landscape. In contrast, the front facade skillfully balances the desire for privacy and the necessity for natural light by incorporating a substantial timber batten brise soleil that spans the length of the building. This architectural element effectively shields the street-facing rooms from prying eyes while allowing filtered sunlight to permeate the interiors. Crafted from western red cedar, the height of the screen aligns harmoniously with that of neighboring residences, seamlessly integrating Ridge Residence into its urban context.
To the left of the property, the garage, clad in reclaimed rough sawn timber, serves as a grounding element. Its horizontal orientation offers a visual counterpoint to the vertical timber battens overhead, contributing to the overall aesthetic balance and adding a layer of texture and warmth to the facade. Collectively, these design decisions reflect a thoughtful approach to both privacy and contextual responsiveness, resulting in a residence that is not only visually appealing but also deeply attuned to its environment and surroundings.
