Architectural Cases

In the vibrant coastal community of Mar Vista, Los Angeles, a striking residential project by PPAA (Pérez Palacios Arquitectos Asociados) emerges, showcasing a profound commitment to minimalist design and innovative spatial organization. This single-family dwelling thoughtfully combines bold monolithic forms with the subtle interplay of straight and curved lines, crafting an aesthetic that is both commanding and serene. The architectural vision centered on integrating the structure harmoniously within its suburban context, while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of contemporary residential design. The strategic placement of expansive openings throughout the property ensures an abundance of natural light and fosters an uninterrupted flow of air, enhancing the dwelling's connection to its immediate environment.

The property's original configuration, characterized by a central rectangular volume flanked by two patios, served as the foundational canvas for PPAA's intervention. Rather than expanding outwards, the design philosophy embraced a process of subtraction, carving out calculated voids within the permitted envelope. This approach allowed for a sophisticated redistribution of space around the outdoor areas, preserving the integrity of the initial footprint while introducing a fresh perspective on indoor-outdoor living. The resulting design creates a captivating tension across its elevations and interior volumes, making an immediate visual impact from the street.

PPAA's design for Mar Vista meticulously integrates large openings that extend visual axes from the front patio to the rear garden, creating an expansive sense of continuity. These deliberate voids transform interior rooms into fluid extensions of the living environment, with aligned glazing and circulation paths ensuring an unbroken visual and spatial dialogue across the entire property. This thoughtful configuration not only enhances aesthetic appeal but also pragmatically responds to the coastal climate. Generous apertures and shaded transitions facilitate natural air movement and optimize daylight penetration, while the patios transcend their traditional role as residual outdoor zones to become dynamic, active centers of daily life within the home.

The main facade of the Mar Vista residence is distinguished by a gracefully curved roofline, a design element PPAA ingeniously employed to reinterpret the conventional gable within the confines of local planning regulations. Entry to the home is subtly positioned at the side, allowing the front elevation to open up dramatically towards the patio through large glass panes. This design choice highlights the interior depth without relying on superfluous ornamentation, emphasizing clarity and understated elegance. The architectural program is strategically divided between two distinct structures: a two-level main house housing communal areas on the lower floor and private quarters above, and a separate single-story building at the rear, offering an independent suite complete with its own amenities, ideal for guests or as a private retreat.

The interior spaces are defined by a meticulously curated palette of materials, including warm oak wood, sleek polished concrete, and luminous light-toned surfaces, contributing to an atmosphere of refined simplicity. On the exterior, striated plaster provides a tactile grain that beautifully interacts with light and shadow across the curved surfaces. This understated yet sophisticated finish imbues Mar Vista with a tranquil visual character, setting it apart within its vibrant neighborhood and affirming PPAA's mastery in creating homes that are both modern and deeply connected to their surroundings.

This innovative residence, completed in 2024 and spanning 417 square meters, stands as a testament to PPAA's vision for contemporary architecture. It not only provides a dwelling but crafts an experience, inviting residents to engage with their environment through a design that prioritizes openness, light, and a seamless blend of natural and built forms. The Mar Vista house exemplifies how minimalist principles can translate into richly lived spaces, offering a sanctuary of calm and beauty in the bustling urban landscape of Los Angeles.

In the heart of Paris's vibrant 11th arrondissement, a groundbreaking interior design project, dubbed 'Gambey,' has redefined compact urban living. Conceived by the collaborative genius of Paf atelier and BB architectes, this residential transformation centers around a striking steel mezzanine, which orchestrates a seamless flow throughout the entire dwelling. Rather than delineating rigid rooms, the design crafts an expansive and continuous interior, where every element\u2014from pathways to storage solutions and functional areas\u2014is elegantly woven into a single, cohesive architectural framework.

Details of the 'Gambey' Apartment Transformation

At the core of the 'Gambey' project is a freestanding, lightweight steel structure, meticulously fabricated from vibrant orange-lacquered profiles and intricate perforated sheet metal panels. This bold intervention, located in a Parisian apartment, ingeniously rises through two levels, establishing a commanding vertical presence that not only organizes movement but also subtly defines distinct zones for sleeping, working, cooking, and unwinding, all while preserving an overarching sense of spatial openness. The varying densities of the perforations in the metal panels play a crucial role, allowing light to dance and shift throughout the day, while maintaining visual connections between different areas. This thoughtful design means that furniture and objects are softened, their contours artfully filtered rather than fully obscured, adding a layer of subtle intrigue.

A staircase, echoing the main steel volume, features handrails and guards crafted from the same distinctive perforated metal and lacquered finish, seamlessly connecting the primary living floor to the mezzanine. This upper level hosts a dedicated work area and additional seating, with its edge aligning perfectly with the horizontal extensions of the steel structure, reinforcing its pivotal role in the apartment's spatial organization. Here, daylight floods through roof glazing, filtering through the perforated guardrail and casting delicate shadows across the pristine white walls and pale wooden floors, enhancing the serene ambiance.

On the main floor, the living area radiates an inviting openness, artfully arranged around the central steel core with low tables, stools, and carefully selected freestanding elements. Color is introduced with intention: the vibrant orange of the steel structure contrasts beautifully with minimalist white surfaces, while subtle touches of blue and pink furnishings add depth without overwhelming the space. The sleeping area is thoughtfully delineated by curtains, which can be drawn across the steel frame openings to provide privacy, their soft translucency offering a gentle counterpoint to the metal's industrial rigidity. When drawn back, the bed becomes an integral part of the larger room, framed by the artful mesh panels.

The kitchen, positioned alongside the central structure, boasts cabinetry in muted metallic tones, accented by small, charming blue hardware. A structural column, painted in the same distinctive orange as the steel framework, elegantly passes through the kitchen island, forging a visual link between the apartment's fixed elements and the newly inserted volume. This meticulous continuity of color and material extends throughout the design, connecting the stair, guardrails, and vertical supports, and subtly highlighting the precision of the assembly and construction at a domestic scale, where every bolt, edge, and joint is openly celebrated rather than concealed.

The 'Gambey' project is more than just an apartment renovation; it is a profound rethinking of how we inhabit compact urban spaces. By employing a singular, architectural gesture, Paf atelier and BB architectes have created a dynamic and flexible environment that challenges conventional notions of room division. The use of perforated steel not only serves a functional purpose in delineating spaces and guiding movement but also adds an aesthetic quality that transforms light and perception. This intervention demonstrates how clever design can elevate a small footprint into a richly experienced, open, and visually stimulating home, fostering a continuous and evolving dialogue between form, function, and artistic expression. It's a testament to how innovative architectural solutions can unlock new possibilities for modern living, proving that true luxury in a compact setting lies in intelligent design and the thoughtful interplay of materials and light.