On the outskirts of Los Angeles, in Mayview, we find a remarkable exemple of 1960s Californian Post and Beam architecture. It’s a genuine ode to lightness and transparency. Kirsten Blazek and the team at A1000XBetter have interpreted this poem, transcribed in the words of Paula Ferreira.
Built in 1973 as the personal residence of architect Dick Lowry, the house authentically maintains the typical elements of the Post and Beam style — na ancestral structural system of exposed beams and pillars that Californian modernism transformed into an architectural language of clear volumes and open spaces, where rigor, lightness, and luminosity coexist in perfect harmony. In Mayview, this language expresses itself in the form of bare wood, fitted joinery, and custom lighting, turning each space into an intimate dialogue between solidity and light. The 227 m2 of the home are spread over two floors, including three bedrooms and a spacious living room that faithfully reflect the house’s original character. The kitchen and bathrooms, which had been remodelled by the previous owners, are in keeping with the spirit of the property. The 39 m2 guest house, the exterior car shelter, the garage, and the additional area with an outdoor oven complete the ensemble, while the terrace, acting like an extension of the main living room, projects over the 1500 m2 garden, offering wide views of the Silver Lake hills and the San Gabriel Mountains, organically connecting interior and exterior spaces. The chimney, conserved in its original form, rises from the ground like a tree, rising up through the slatted roof structure and becoming part of the landscape.