With the Nicol house addition and renovation we transformed a previously dark, cramped and jumbled space into a light, airy and unfilled home. Working with an industrious client who undertook much of the physical labor himself, we were able to maximize a minuscule budget to recreate and enliven every space.

Set on a hillside lot in Mar Vista, the addition of a second story master suite and indoor/outdoor living spaces takes full advantage of ocean and nature views and opens up the house with a central double height space. The second story loft and expansive deck open to below create and architectural interplay between the two interior levels and the outdoors.

A broad two-story entry connects the two wings of the house as well as the site's front and rear outdoor spaces. Natural light, prevailing ocean breezes, views and circulation all flow linearly through the transparent sliding glass doors at the entry, rear and upper deck.

The entire house is integrated under a floating upwardly sloping butterfly roof that serves as both a poetic gesture (the house appears to reach skyward) and a functional mechanism (increased access to light and air). The warm wood on the ceiling and eaves contrasts with the coolness of the gray metal fascia, metal siding and gray plaster base.