Project: Truss Haus
Architects: Space International Architects
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Year: 2019
Photo Credits: Joshua White JWPictures, Taiyo Watanabe, Space International Inc.
Winner 2022 AIA LA Residential Honor Award
Located on two hillside parcels formerly deemed infeasible to develop, the Truss Haus is a situational experiment which reflects upon local legacies of modern architecture in nature. The extreme building site is defined by steep opposing canyon slopes separated by a natural watercourse and public works easement leading to the Lake Hollywood Reservoir. An examination of these challenges restricted conventional site planning but quickly revealed these limitations as potential opportunities.
Prior case studies of the Eames Bridge House (1945), Craig Ellwood’s Weekend House (1964) and his subsequent Art Center College of Design (1975) reveal iconic solutions of hillside building in search of a contemporary opportunity. Inspired by these examples the Truss Haus positions the primary floor of the new three bedroom residence between the space of two long-span trusses, creating a bridge over the canyon easement without disruption to natural drainage patterns. Residential programs are organized around an open plan accessed by perimeter circulation along the length of the trusses. Intimate glimpses to the surrounding landscape are framed by the very structural elements which make these views possible.
A warm palette of douglas fir, walnut, and limestone create textured patterns of organic materials which blur the distinction between interior spaces and the canyon setting; while on the the exterior, a weathered corten steel cladding is in constant dialogue with the landscape, developing a natural patina over time.
