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The client of Duplexity approached Verse Design with intent to renovate their home. In collaboration with Verse Design, the vision evolved to a progressive approach to create a home that seamlessly blends modern living with its coastal surroundings and found spatial efficiencies. Aimed to capture the essence of the ocean and adjacent canal, strategic spatial planning was performed emphasizing natural light and openness. In addition to enhancing the aesthetic and functional space, the project required a modernization of building systems and high performative materials for improved energy efficiency and comfort exceeding the aspirations of the client.
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Positioned between the dynamic Venice Beach and the serene Venice Canals, Duplexity establishes a nuanced relationship with its surroundings, balancing contemporary living with the constraints and opportunities of its coastal residential context. The strategic reorganization of the staggered spatial compositions benefited from orchestrated opportunities to connect them with the coastal context outdoors through introduced double height living spaces, elevated outdoor spaces, and optimization of natural light. The forward-reskinned exterior and reimagined look-out towers now bridges perspectives from the ocean to the canal, respecting the architectural lineage of Venice while elevating its presence and adding value to the neighborhood and welcomed rejuvenation to the evolving urban fabric.
We believe one of the most sustainable practices is to reuse what you already have. In keeping with this philosophy the project worked with and within the existing structural framework of the building, limiting the amount of embodied carbon in the building while also minimizing the impact on the landfill. New high performance insulated windows were installed which optimized performance and minimized demands on the new energy efficient heating and air conditioning systems. LID Planters were also installed to collect and filter stormwater in keeping with the need to minimize the projects impact on the local watershed.
The client’s goals were clear at the onset of the rejuvenation project, to capture the essence of their proximity to the ocean, modernized building systems, all while working expeditiously within the onerous building and zoning codes. Complexities arose, including strict limits of the building envelope and square footage under the coastal commission guidelines, staggered floor levels, a puzzled duplex plan, and structural upgrades required to be threaded through the existing space. We approached the complexities headfirst working to build value into the project with each decision. Through careful study of the existing floor plans we identified an orchestrated organization to include double-height living spaces, elevated outdoor living spaces, and an organization offering an additional bedroom. Updated massing and reskinning provided the exterior uplift the clients desired. Notable as one drives down the street are the dueling towers that soar to +45’, a folly from the well-known LA architect Clelio Boccato (former associate of Ray Kappe), offer a vista and individual resting stoop. Originally the views were limited from each tower, later optimized in the renovation, the windows were continued 360 degrees for a sweeping intake of the surroundings. Ultimately meeting the client’s desire of a contemporary interior and exterior that references both units, enhancing the individual experience of each, and adding valuable living space; repositioning the property in the current market.
“Our vision for the house was a loft by the beach, inspired by our many years of living in NYC. Verse captured this vision perfectly, transforming a dated beach house into a modern and seamlessly flowing home. The changing light brings the home to life, and its flexibility makes it just as perfect for quiet moments with our dog as it is for lively gatherings. It’s a space that adapts, inspires, and truly feels like home.”
We are a progressive firm that is committed to the creation of quality architecture and sensible design. Verse Design LA’s research-based design process drives spatial innovation that seeks design solutions from the origin of the design problem. We seek uncommon solutions within the common.
Our Practice is rooted in academics as several members of our team have spent years in that space while, at the same time, actively engaging the professional practice. As a small office unburdened by corporate structure, our collective experience allows team to swiftly improvise and adapt to project needs and challenges of the site, program, user group, and budget and convert them into assets. Los Angeles is a hub for innovation and culture that keeps us relevant and connected. The current iteration of Verse Design is a tight-knit collective, able to operate at the highest levels of our profession with refined design and management expertise.
