XTEN Architecture designed the luxurious Openhouse, located in Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA. The 4,500-squre-foot house is perfectly integrated into the landscape and, at the same time, open to the majestic city.
The architects wanted to create an open space home, which is why the retaining walls’ purpose is to extend the first floor living level into the landscape, creating gardens on two levels. Glass is of utmost importance for the architecture of this residence. This is the material that makes the inside-outside boundary disappear, and connects the spaces with the gardens and patios.
The house features 44 seven-feet-wide sliding glass panels, mirror glass walls, fixed glass walls and light gray glass panels that allow natural light flow into the home. Opposed to the fragility of this material, the interior design is made of dark stained oak, stone, plaster and tinted concrete. Cut pebble flooring was used for the inside of the house, and for the terraces and decks, creating a feel of continuity.
Photos by: Art Gray
Stunning work by XTEN Architects! The seamless blend of glass and dark oak creates such a sophisticated atmosphere. The way the design extends the living space into the landscape is truly inspiring. Beautifully captured by Art Gray as well.
Thank you! We’re thrilled you appreciate the glass and dark oak combination. It was a joy to see how Art Gray’s photography perfectly captured that seamless connection between the interior and the landscape.
So, a house made of glass and stone, hidden in the hills, costs millions. Because nothing says “openness” like paying extra to feel exposed to the traffic below. Truly, the ultimate luxury is vulnerability with a view.
You make a sharp point! The glass does invite the outside in, creating that sense of exposure. However, the stone cladding and strategic hillside placement provide significant acoustic and thermal insulation. It’s about curated openness rather than total vulnerability, balancing transparency with the privacy the site affords.