This new single family house floats over the steep hillside in Echo Park, California. The placement of the house was very important to avoid removing any of the mature Cypress trees that surround the house. In one case the house surrounds the tree as the tree penetrates through the house. Waterproofing a tree in this situation proved to be very challenging but the system works to keep water out of the house.

In an effort to blend into the wooded environment there is a heavy use of wood - both outside and inside. The exterior uses fire treated cedar siding which is a rating required by local building codes.

Date of completion: January 2015

Location: Echo Park, Los Angeles

Lot Area: approx. 25,000 sq.ft

Building Area: 2,400 sq.ft

Single story building cantilevered structure

Building footprint: approx 2,400 sq.ft

Method of construction: Concrete pile foundation and walls (foundation level), wood frame and steel sub-floor (1st level). Cedar siding, steel roofing.