A free-standing painting and drawing studio, distinctly contemporary but complementary to the existing historic shingle-style residence. Together the sequence from house to deck to courtyard to breezeway to studio interior is a choreography of movement and space, seamlessly integrating site, topography, and horizon. Images by Steve King Architectural Photography.

The Rustic Canyon Art Studio occupies a thin, triangular sliver of property close to the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica, California. Connected to the main residence by both a footbridge and an automobile bridge, the studio is a retreat for art and exercise. The long, triangular plan is formed by the property line and a hillside on the east and the Rustic Canyon Creek Channel on the west. A simple steel column and beam system placed on the interior of the studio allows the roof plane to be “lifted” off the building. The building’s columnar system corresponds to a subterranean system of large concrete caissons that extend 30-40 feet below grade. The building interior consists of an art studio and an exercise area, with sliding glass panels creating a partial separation wall between the two areas. Continuous Douglas Fir clerestory windows around the studio perimeter separate the walls from the roof plane. The high windows bring soft, diffuse light into the building interior, creating optimal natural lighting for the art studio. The exterior walls are 12”-14” thick, to allow for horizontal air distribution. The thick walls also accommodate pockets for oversized Douglas fir sliding glass door panels, thus allowing the doors to completely disappear into the walls and opening the studio directly toward the Rustic Creek Channel. The shed roof is covered with standing seam Rheinzink. The triangular plan causes the roof to rise from the south end to the north end, and the north end is further cut on the diagonal and lifted to create large, north-facing clerestory windows for the studio. The studio is an exercise in spatial and structural simplicity. Sustainable design was incorporated from the beginning. High clerestory windows provide extensive natural light and ventilation throughout the studio. Insulation values 60% higher than conventional construction were achieved by using double 2x4 walls. Photo: Tom Bonner

Photo by Gregg Willett

This California art and exercise studio located near the Pacific Ocean incorporates Quantum’s custom wood Signature Series windows and Lift & Slide doors. The architect called for Clear Vertical Grain (CVG) Douglas Fir throughout the project with Ironwood Sills used on the Lift & Slide doors. Sequential angled windows with sandblasted, or obscure, glass allow for natural lighting to enter indoors, yet add ventilation, security, and privacy for its inhabitants. Steel reinforced mullions satisfy the need for structural integrity. Inside the studio are found interior hanging panels with sandblasted glass sliding along an overhead track system. These panels allow for the building’s interior to be partitioned off into two distinct spaces. Leading to the exterior are bypass pocketing Lift & Slide doors complete with screens. To further enhance security no flush pulls were installed on the exterior of the door panels.

This forever home, perfect for entertaining and designed with a place for everything, is a contemporary residence that exudes warmth, functional style, and lifestyle personalization for a family of five. Our busy lawyer couple, with three close-knit children, had recently purchased a home that was modern on the outside, but dated on the inside. They loved the feel, but knew it needed a major overhaul. Being incredibly busy and having never taken on a renovation of this scale, they knew they needed help to make this space their own. Upon a previous client referral, they called on Pulp to make their dreams a reality. Then ensued a down to the studs renovation, moving walls and some stairs, resulting in dramatic results. Beth and Carolina layered in warmth and style throughout, striking a hard-to-achieve balance of livable and contemporary. The result is a well-lived in and stylish home designed for every member of the family, where memories are made daily.

A charming 1920s Los Angeles home serves as a place of business, and the guest room doubles as a work studio. The elfa shelving system from The Container Store, maximizes the vertical space and celebrates the high ceilings in the vintage home.

Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli

Blue Gator Photography

Idha Lindhag

A separate garage with studio above, Georgian period house, with annexe, glorious gardens and parking. Colin Cadle Photography, Photo Styling Jan Cadle

10x12 Studio Shed home office - Lifestyle Interior plus our added height option. The standard height of most models is 8'6" but you can choose to add 1 or even 2 extra feet of ceiling height. Our small kit "Pinyon" sits perpendicular to the office, holding garden tools and other supplies in a 4x8 footprint. The concrete pad, which extends to serve as the interior floor as well, was poured and stained by the home owner once the design phase of his project was complete.

Olson Photographic, LLC