Abstract
- OWIU Design has renovated the 1973 Glass Ridge Home, initially constructed by famend American architect Ray Kappe
- The renovation blends Jap and Western design influences, whereas additionally integrating pure parts reminiscent of flowing water, tatami flooring and artisan-crafted particulars
OWIU Design has reimagined the Glass Ridge Home, remodeling a long-neglected 1973 Ray Kappe property right into a tranquil retreat. Nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac in La Cañada Flintridge, Los Angeles, the undertaking was led by Amanda Gunawan and Joel Wong — the founders behind OWIU Design. The renovation displays the duo’s signature steadiness of Jap and Western influences with pure parts and considerate craftsmanship built-in all through. The reimagined dwelling additionally serves as a mirrored image of their design philosophy, drawing inspiration from years of journey and multicultural experiences, whereas honoring the unique structure and its evolving relationship with the encircling panorama.
Flowing water performs a central function on this transformation, with a glass-enclosed built-in stream, a koi pond close to the entryway and a redesigned pool that seamlessly blends into the tree-lined hills. By guaranteeing that water, greenery, and open area stay integral to the house, OWIU emphasizes the pure parts as key design options, elevating the residence into a contemporary sanctuary.
Gunawan and Wong additionally collaborated with Kuboki Tatami – a family-owned tatami workshop from Fukushima Prefecture – to introduce conventional Japanese flooring in sudden methods. The sunken pit lounge, lined with tatami, enhances each heat and performance, echoing Asian cultural traditions of floor-level socializing. Equally, the mattress body is wrapped in custom-treated black tatami, including delicate texture and depth to the minimalist aesthetic.
Their dedication to materials authenticity extends to their tea bar, which is deliberately set other than the kitchen. Framed by textured marble, this intimate area options {custom} ceramic tiles by Hashimoto Tomonari, a celebrated Japanese ceramic artist from Shigaraki, whose works incorporate pure supplies like rice and millet to attain a particular marbled glaze.
The house exudes lived-in heat, enriched by journey finds, artisan collaborations and deeply private touches. Many fixtures had been custom-built by the development agency, Inflexion Builds, guaranteeing seamless integration with the construction’s pure traces. The kitchen and eating designs emphasize performance and communal gathering. Its excessive ceilings with expansive glass home windows improve light-filled areas, whereas the eating space’s darkish redwood ceiling and blackened wooden bar evoke a extra intimate ambiance.
Impressed by Japanese ryokans, OWIU views the house as a retreat from town, providing an area for meditation and sanctuary amid the fast-paced surroundings of Los Angeles. Its renovation on the Glass Ridge Home displays the studio’s signature steadiness between legacy and innovation, embracing the previous whereas shaping a refined and timeless future.
