by admin | Jun 27, 2014 | Blog |
I have designed two hillside homes in California’s Topanga canyon that take advantage of ‘passive-solar’ design. These homes provide the best of California’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle living accompanied with spectacular views of the rugged landscape in Topanga canyon. Both homes are of a passive solar design, meaning that the home have been configured to take energy-saving advantage of the local breezes, sun orientation and heat-storing finish materials. It’s wise to design the homes to naturally take advantage of the local climate and we find that configurations that save energy make the house more comfortable year-round. Design features that reduce air-conditioning also reduce glare and increase the enjoyment of views. The homes were designed in a generous 4,000 square foot size and feature a kitchen open to the family room, a bright and sunny staircase in the center of the house, four bedrooms, a media room and a three or four-car garage. Interior living spaces are accompanied by shaded outdoor patios that can be used for a large part of the year; Rooms flow to the outdoors to enjoy the California climate. The exterior materials of the buildings have been selected for their fire resistance and the landscaping around the homes will complement the design features while also increasing fire safety. The choice of a Mediterranean design brings to mind similar houses dotted in the landscapes of Spain, Italy and the South of France. My frequent travels to those countries result in designs that include old-world comfort and enjoyment of life incorporated with a tasteful use of all modern conveniences. The honest forms of Mediterranean homes go well with a contemporary...
by admin | Jun 27, 2014 | Blog |
We are announcing the successful release of the renovation of the façade of the Cecil Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The owner of the hotel, Dale Lohrer, said: “The Cecil Hotel began its gentrification to restore it to its former glory of the 1920’s when it was one of the largest hotels on the West coast. We peeled away decades of remodeling that had all but covered up its grand days.” Dale continues: “With the lobby completed, we were faced with the monumental task of how to regain the grand look of its existing storefronts along Los Angeles’s Main Street. We consulted with Anthony Eckelberry on historic and beautification imagery. He was hired and provided detailed plans that would discard the drab 1950’s remodeling and restore the storefronts beyond their original splendor. A year in the making and the unveiling of the facade revealed sculpted columns, moldings and fascia, creating a refreshed look for this landmark property.” It was a challenge to remove the facade of the building’s street level and replace it with a design that fit with the remaining classical elements of the hotel. I endeavored to give the façade a style that looked as if it had been built that way originally yet was actually a step up in quality and finishes. My research background in classical architecture helped me contribute elements that seem natural for a structure of the 1920’s, yet these forms relate to our modern necessities for visibility and security. I have completed the design of numerous hospitality design projects. I have been involved in renovations of two Beverly Hills hotels and have...
by admin | Jun 27, 2014 | Blog |
We completed a new home that expresses new concepts of luxury and informality in contemporary home design. The owners of a Los Angeles property commissioned my firm to design a minimalist-style home that would accommodate their simplified lifestyle yet feel expansive and uncluttered. Due to the sloping land and the desire to have the house fully accessible, I came up with the idea of linking the two main parts of the house –bedrooms and living areas- with a long sloping hallway. To accentuate the hallway’s dimensions, I designed 20 foot high ceilings and curved the walls on both sides. This turned the hallway into a dramatic three-dimensional space that engages the viewer by changing with every step. The living areas that overlook the garden pool are tall, well-proportioned spaces that can open up completely to the outdoors with folding glass door panels. Along with the sense of drama imparted by the soaring spaces, the rooms feel comfortable and in the words of one viewer “just right”. The builder remarked “Anthony has a wonderful grip on quiet elegance.” Growing up in Paris I experienced homes and public spaces with a large scale and grandeur about them yet possessing a sense that you could pull up a chair and relax by the fire. I try to impart that quality of a wide-open space that feels informal enough for a quiet conversation. With this new home, it appears that we have succeeded in conveying grandeur and informality all at...
by admin | Jun 27, 2014 | Blog |
An artist and her film-producer husband owned a small one-story home in a fashionable West Los Angeles neighborhood. As an architect, I interpreted their wishes into a classic Spanish-style home that is now twice the size, keeping the authentic feel of the traditional home. I see too often house additions that are modern structures set onto an existing house, so the art is to make it look like it was all created at the same time, but long ago. When construction was over, the homeowners said: “We had searched for over a year to find an architect who could renovate our 1920’s Spanish home while maintaining its sense of character and charm…and you did it!” The old home had attractive touches in the front but the back portion felt cramped and was isolated from the garden. I left just enough of the old house facing the street to maintain the authentic character, and took down the structure behind the façade to create an entirely new two-story building. I blended the old with the new by adding a full-height curved entry tower. The homeowners added: “Anthony was wonderful at adding just the right touches and incorporating some of our ideas into the plans.” In commenting on the design process, the owner said: “I really appreciated Anthony listening to our desires and the time he took with the preliminary drawings to create such a spectacular home.” This project shows that homes in our cities can adapt to our growing families while preserving the character of traditional...
by admin | Jun 27, 2014 | Blog |
Planning to build a home in Los Angeles, the Liebermans bought a parcel of land with commanding views, high up in the Hollywood Hills. With two grown children, they wanted a house with an open floor plan that would still provide private spaces for the visiting family. The Liebermans contacted me to design the new home. “We envisaged a voluminous open plan design, with a great room which would feel like a loft overlooking the city,” said the Liebermans. “We wanted a home office which would be separate, but with a good flow from the living room to also take full advantage of the view. We wanted a dining are to be incorporated into the kitchen.” “Anthony interpreted our requirements into a lovely contemporary home with a fabulous imposing entry area, and incorporated some wonderful finishes.” They added, “The house is a wonderful space in which to live and the house flows beautifully into the outdoor area.” The result was a happy combination of architect and owner. The Liebermans enthused: “We are delighted with the dream house which Anthony Eckelberry designed for...
by admin | Jun 27, 2014 | Blog |
Beverly Hills hair stylist Maxime called on me to craft an elegant, modern atmosphere for his new salon on Rodeo Drive called The Salon by Maxime. I brought experience in designing high-end restaurant and retail spaces to this project. Says Maxime: “the work experience with creating was great.” The construction project was a courteous collaboration of owner, architect and contractor. Adds John Murawski, president of Cal Asia construction: “As on all the projects we have worked on together, Anthony Eckelberry had a ‘team’ attitude and the net result has been happy clients and well-done projects.” Maxime commented: “The clients of the salon say that the space feels so comfortable that it’s like an addition to their own house”. As the salon has been fully booked virtually since the doors opened, the customers have shown their appreciation for Maxime’s hair-styling skills and for the location he now works in. Building this salon shows that modern architecture can provide a comfortable space to house a thriving...
