An Extraordinary New Home
On a 4,634 SF corner lot just steps from the famed Canals of Venice, CA, Paul Davis Architects created an ambitious new family home carefully attuned to its Southern California context. Replacing a modest 1940s stucco bungalow, the Sanborn Residence occupies a rare parcel bordered by two streets and an alley, with only one adjoining neighbor. Several blocks from Venice Beach, the site enjoys abundant daylight, ocean breezes, and open neighborhood views – an uncommon condition within a dense suburban fabric.
Space-Planning Triumph
From the outset, the design sought to balance a series of dualities: dramatic, light-filled spaces alongside privacy and seclusion; maximum buildable area paired with outdoor garden “rooms”; and a modern sensibility grounded in warmth and comfort. The home centers on two double-height spaces: a luminous indoor living room at the northeast corner and a sun-dappled outdoor garden court. Each connects directly to major living areas through large operable glass walls, allowing the ground floor to function as a fluid sequence of social and functional spaces suited to luxurious intimate evenings or lively gatherings.
Daylight And Views Throughout
Strategically placed light-slot glazing, tall vertical windows, and a clerestory light scoop above the concrete masonry fireplace draw sunlight deep into the living room, reinforcing its connection to the surrounding gardens. A glass-railed bridge links guest bedrooms while overlooking the space below. Private rooms are discreetly arranged behind the main living areas, thoughtfully positioned for light, views, and seclusion. Above, a two-level roof deck offers sunset views toward the ocean and sweeping vistas from the Palisades to the Getty Center and downtown Los Angeles.
Richly Textured Modernity
Materially, the residence resists the chill of white modernism in favor of warmth and texture: natural cement tones, knotty plain-sawn white oak floors, richly colored tiles from Japan, Mexico, and Morocco, and layered metal finishes in brass, nickel, and blackened steel. The result is a home both refined and rugged that is rooted in Venice’s relaxed, artful tradition and tailored precisely to its remarkable site.
