Veneklasen House is a 3,900-square-foot residence in Los Angeles, originally completed in 1951 and designed by Kenneth Lind, with early contributions from Pierre Koenig as part of the Case Study program. Over subsequent decades, the house saw modest interventions by Josef Van der Kar and landscape work by Koichi Kawana. In 2021, CHU+GOODING Architects undertook a major renovation, tasked with adding a second story for a primary suite and balcony while reinterpreting the home’s original integration of architecture and landscape.
The project focused on strengthening the connection between interior spaces and the mature landscape, particularly through the living room’s relationship to a central courtyard dominated by an established eucalyptus tree. Historic architectural features, such as the folded glass wall facing the courtyard, were updated with new glazing for increased transparency. The existing stone fireplace was replaced with white brick, echoing the original staggered brickwork that contributes both acoustic and visual texture. An open kitchen now links the courtyard wing with the dining and family spaces, finished in a palette of dark walnut and grey-green quartzite that repeats throughout the house in millwork and bathrooms. The renovation preserves the modern post-and-beam identity while refining spatial clarity and continuity inside and out.
Typical architect fee for a 3,900 sq ft new home here: $80,000 – $226,000Full services, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA · BLS wage and Census construction data
