The NY Times did a feature on a home in Marina del Ray, CA recently. The article describes the process with which architect David Hertz approached the home, a property he calls “a dog, an abomination.”

The home was built in 1923 and features a wooden shingle roof that envelopes the residence like a chafing brown paper bag. But the home boasted picturesque ocean views as well. The cost to tear down the home and build something new, coupled with the fact that the owners would lose their ocean views, inspired architect and owners alike to reconsider the space, transforming it into a classic California modern home.

From the Article:

A squat box of a house in Marina del Rey, Calif., was built in 1923, but the second floor, with its mushroomlike mansard roof, was added in the ’70s. The architect in charge of its renovation, results of which are seen at right, dryly described it as “a community service project.”

A modular Kartell sofa in a rubberized fabric provides room to stretch out in the double-height rec space. The wood bench is by David Trubridge, the floor lamp is from Foscarini and the rug is from Gandia Blasco.

A network of ipe-wood slatted panels creates a striking facade. The panels slide shut over doors and windows, ensuring privacy and filtered light inside.