It’s true that Beverly Hills is known worldwide for its sumptuous homes and distinguished owners, but it’s also true that some houses manage to distinguish themselves from the rest within its neighborhoods. Take for instance the Carla Ridge House, which was completed in 2014 by McClean Design within the Trousdale neighborhood.
Flaunting exquisite panoramas of the city, this house offers superb entertainment and relaxation opportunities. It boasts a light well at its lower level that separates it from its drive court, and its entryway crosses over a beautiful water installation. The gymnasium, the entertainment areas and the secondary bedrooms receive plenty of natural light as the residence is flanked by glass elements on four sides. Upstairs, the owners enjoy access to two more bedrooms complemented by a sumptuous master bedroom, a family room, a dining area, a kitchen and a living room.
Outdoors, there is a large swimming pool as well as a patio that features comfortable lounging chairs and sofas.
From the architect:
Located in the Trousdale neighborhood of Beverly Hills where all proposed work must take place without disturbing existing slopes, the challenge for this design is to find ways to create light for the lower level.
Here we have created a light well which separates the drive court from the house itself and allows for an entrance across a water feature that cascades over glass to the atrium below.
Landscaped with glass on four sides this allows light to the entertainment areas, gym and secondary bedrooms leaving more room upstairs for the rear yard and swimming pool.
The upper level contains the master and two additional bedrooms, living room, family, dining and kitchen.
Ah, another glass box in Trousdale. Because what the Hills really needed was more reflection and less privacy. The water feature over the drive court must be *thrilling* when it rains.
You make a fair point about the privacy trade-off! The water feature definitely adds a dynamic element, though modern design often prioritizes those sleek, reflective lines. We appreciate your keen eye for the architectural nuances of Trousdale Estates.
The light well solution sounds ingenious. How did they manage the structural integrity while maintaining such transparency? I’m also curious about the specific materials used for that cascading glass feature.
Thank you for your keen observation! We used a reinforced steel frame with laminated glass to ensure stability without compromising the airy feel. The cascading feature utilizes tempered, low-iron glass to maximize clarity and light transmission while maintaining rigorous safety standards. It’s truly a masterpiece of modern engineering and design.