Residential ArchitectureFeatured Houses

Fenlon House

Los Angeles

Architects & Firms

Martin Fenlon Architecture

Site size: 4,250 sf Project size: 960 sf

Program: The architect renovated a small 1920s bungalow for his young family by overhauling the interiors and nestling a small addition within the front of the house.

Location: Los Angeles’ residential Hermon district

Solution: The home’s new frontispiece, which settles into the old facade, terraces down to the sidewalk to form a long bench. The architect removed the original porch gable to create triangular opening for a skylight and increased interior volumes by exposing the existing wood roof structure, previously obscured by low ceilings. Living, dining, and kitchen spaces were further maximized by reducing the number of interior walls. A large window over the wood-clad kitchen counter brings the outside in, while concealed IKEA cabinetry and other built-ins throughout the home provide economical but hidden storage.

Construction and materials: Because of the non-conforming setbacks, only a very small addition to the front of the house was possible. Its clear cedar cladding contrasts with the torched cedar siding that wraps around the rest of the structure. Inside, walnut and teak finishes—similar in tone to the existing wood—blur the distinction between old and new.

Architect:
Martin Fenlon Architecture
5526 Monterey Road
Los Angeles, CA 90042
T: (323) 739-9440

People

Completion date:
June 2015

Architect:
Martin Fenlon Architecture
5526 Monterey Road
Los Angeles, CA 90042
T: (323) 739-9440

Photographer: Zach Lipp

Products

Structural System
Wood framing
Hardy Frame Shear Panel

Exterior Cladding
Select Knotty Cedar siding, torch finish
Clear Engineered Cedar Siding by Coulson

Roofing
Built-up roofing: Modified Bitumen Roofing by Flintastic
Tile/shingles: Asphalt Shingles by Owens Corning

Windows
Wood frame: Wood Windows by JT Windows

Glazing
Glass: Wood Windows & Exterior Doors by JT Windows
Skylights: Curb-Mount Skylight by Velux, Custom Skylight w/ Glass by Oldcastle

Doors
Entrances: Wood Entrance Door by JT Windows
Wood doors: Exterior Doors by JT Windows

Hardware
Locksets: Exterior Doors Hardware by CR Laurence, Interior Locksets by Schlage

Interior Finishes
Cabinetwork and custom woodwork: Ikea Cabinetry in Bathroom, Ikea Cabinetry w/ Teak Veneer front panels
Paints and stains: Wood stains & Clear Coats by Minwax
Wall coverings: Painted Gypsum Wall Board, Teak Veneered Panels
Paneling: Teak Veneer supplied by Farwest
Floor and wall tile: Glass Tile by Akbo

Special interior finishes unique to this project: Teak Veneer over flat slab doors & Ikea cabinetry

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