Client

Overview

Located in sunny Los Angeles, is the unique and open concept Wasatch Residence. The vision for the piece was inspired by the unique light and colors of its location. The home has an unobstructed view from the moment one enters the 3×16 ft wood door to the backyard. Although it has a feeling of transparency throughout, it is private from the street and the public.

The front courtyard allows for added privacy with a descending staircase that leads to the home’s private movie theater and discotheque along with a guest apartment. Every part of the home is easily accessible and open. The powder room is located in the middle of the room with a glass ceiling that allows for an open feel. The bedrooms and master bath are located upstairs, accessed through a minarc-design staircase. The master bath has a glass shower room and unattached bath as well as matching sinks all in neutral colors. The exterior is where the Minarc team applied the creativity and artistry they are known for. The staircase showcased on the facade offers a poetic meaning: “A stairway to the stars.” From the outside, the home looks to be floating because of their talented design.

Goals

The overall goal for this project was to create a home that integrated the unique light and colors found in the surroundings of the home and use that as a main element to design the space around. The home has a stunning unobstructed view from the moment one enters a monumental 6’ x 14’ pivot wooden door, through the open layout and out into an expansive backyard. With large windows throughout, the house has a feeling of transparency from within while retaining privacy from the street with a secret courtyard entryway that blends into the wooden façade exterior.The exterior is where the Minarc creativity and artistry shine. The outside is brought indoors with a wood-panel façade that wraps under the semi-cantilevered second story and spills into the interior. Six 14’ glass panels slide and disappear into hidden pockets. An exterior staircase leading to the roof deck offers a poetic meaning: a stairway to the stars. These elements, combined with well-placed lighting, give the sense that the home floats above the ground, and suspended in space.

Process

The overall process of developing the design for Stairway to the Stars was to create a design that encapsulates the unique light and colors created by the surrounding elements through creating a space that is open. The Minarc design team designed an exterior staircase leading to the roof deck which offers the poetic meaning: A stairway to the stars. Design elements such as this staircase are leading elements that influenced the design for the remainder of the home. Central to the house, a custom Minarc designed three-story staircase connects the home to a basement private movie theatre and discotheque as well as a guest apartment, to the bedrooms and primary bath above. In the main living space, a deliberate use of space functions as a clean and homely environment. Every part of the home is easily accessible and spacious. Even the powder room and pantry, located in the heart of the house, features a unique glass ceiling that contributes to the inter-connected yet open feel. The primary bath has a glass shower room and unattached bath as well as matching sinks– all in pleasing neutral colors. Together, all these aspects create an inviting and visually appealing atmosphere.