Dan Brunn Architecture

Positively Negative House

Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta

POSITIVELY NEGATIVE HOUSE

Dan Brunn Architecture

AREA
2520 m²

CATEGORY
Apartments

PHOTOGRAPHS
Brandon Shigeta

YEAR
2021

LOCATION
Los Angeles, United States

CIVIL
Obando and Associates

GENERAL CONTRACTOR
RJC Builders

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Franceschi Engineering

MANUFACTURERS
Atlas Concorde, Mosa, Caesarstone, Concrete Collaborative, Miele, Cambridge Elevating, SYNLawn, StyleLine, Sun Valley Skylights

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Dan Brunn

AUDIO VIDEO
One Button

Years after completing a client’s Venice beachfront home, Architect Dan Brunn was tasked with delivering a second beach house, just a stone’s throw from the first one.

Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta
Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta

A straightforward request was made, to build a structure that would sustain the harsh marine weather with minimal maintenance.

Brunn’s immediate design response was to construct an all-concrete structure.

Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta
Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta
Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta

Built on a dense site, fronting the beach and measuring a narrow 28’ in width, the conditions demanded extreme attention to detail to allow for a dynamic building program, natural light, and outdoor space.

Brunn’s design began with spatial programming, conceived by stacking virtual cubes in 3D BIM software until an appropriate design was resolved that could answer to the contrast of the view, privacy, and natural light.

The generally cubic nature of the design resulted in a push and pull, with a duality of positive and negative spaces, hence named: Positively Negative.

Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta
Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta
Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta

One can compare the design to a stone that has been chiseled away; as a solid mass with light airy spaces within its otherwise heavy nature.

Integral to the design approach is the choreography of circulation, which is characterized by a spatial and structural arrangement that allows for a vibrantly navigated pace as you move throughout the space.

This experience is notably punctuated by the central staircase atrium, whose repetitive shape forms a sequence of right turns to descend each level.

Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta
Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta
Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta

The walking pattern that arises is highlighted with multiple vantage points of the immense expanse of unfurling vistas and delivers a poignant visual impact.

Addressing architecture with the user experience in mind is consistent with Brunn’s humanistic approach, which he dubs “Empathetic Design” which is intended to elicit reflection and engagement.

An assemblage of voluminous spaces, open balconies, and varied materials, permeate all aspects of the ecologically friendly design approach.

Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta
Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta
Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta
Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta

The main structure, built out of vertical board-formed concrete, is punctuated by smooth, white plaster walls, matte wood millwork, and glossy terrazzo floors. On the roof is an efficient solar energy system, while passive cooling and radiant floor heating condition the home.


Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta
Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta
Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta
Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta
Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta
Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta


Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta
Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta
Positively Negative House
© Brandon Shigeta


Positively Negative House
1st Floor Plan
Positively Negative House
2nd Floor Plan
Positively Negative House
3rd Floor Plan


Positively Negative House
Positively Negative House


Positively Negative House
Positively Negative House


Positively Negative House
Positively Negative House
Positively Negative House
Positively Negative House

Dan Brunn Architecture
T +1 310 8553555
Dan Brunn Architecture
6363 Wilshire Blvd # 503, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States