“The architects respect the original house, maintaining its uniqueness and design essence, while breathing new life and functionality into it..” —Juror Kimberly Sheppard, FAIA
Updating a classic 1965 Craig Ellwood house in Los Angeles for 21st-century needs provided a tidy canvas for contemporary interventions by local studio Woods + Dangaran. A decades-prior renovation of the 1,700-square-foot residence had stained the redwood siding an unfortunate purple hue. The studio replaced the cladding with natural redwood to match the exposed structural framing—and the original design intent. Inside, the restoration largely retained the house’s open layout, save for tweaks to the kitchen and bathroom. Teak paneling with black accents replaced white gypsum board, strengthening the indoor–outdoor connection. Earth-tone ceramic tile, brass-plated hardware, and dark marble with golden veining all reference the natural materials of the original. Insulated glass replaced single-pane glazing while preserving the optical quality and operating systems. Similarly, the designers chose custom contemporary and authentic midcentury fixtures and furnishings to complete the design with sympathetic warmth. In Moore House, Ellwood’s vision has been restored and extended.