SPF : architects

Morgan Phoa Library and Residence

Morgan Phoa Library and Residence
© Roland Halbe

MORGAN PHOA LIBRARY AND RESIDENCE

Zoltan E. Pali + SPF: Architects

ARCHITECTS
SPF: Architects, Zoltan E. Pali

PROJECT MANAGER
Siddhartha Majumdar

MANUFACTURERS
Alkco, Usai, Zumtobel, Arktura, Tiella

AREA
3300 Ft²

YEAR
2015

LOCATION
Los Angeles, United States

CATEGORY
Houses, Refurbishment

Text description provided by architect.

Located in the Los Feliz area of greater Los Angeles, this project was a rare opportunity to restore and build onto a historically designated property originally designed by Wallace Neff in the 1920s.

Morgan Phoa Library and Residence
© Roland Halbe
Morgan Phoa Library and Residence
© John Linden

Work included the interior renovation of the family room, restoring the ceiling archways and demolishing its north facing wall for a new entry way.

A carefully designed palette of hardscape introduced a balanced outdoor area, and a pool addition, lined with tiles from the historic Jackling House, designed by George Washington Smith and once owned by Steve Jobs, gave reason to further enjoy the southern California climate.

Morgan Phoa Library and Residence
© Roland Halbe
Morgan Phoa Library and Residence
© Roland Halbe
Morgan Phoa Library and Residence
© Roland Halbe

A new two-story building, consisting of a garage on its first level and a private library on the second level, includes storage, a reading area and a powder room.

The building addition’s most distinct feature is its metal screen façade.

The screens open like shutters for clear views of the property, and when shut, allows for privacy, sun shading and environmental control.

Morgan Phoa Library and Residence
© Roland Halbe
Morgan Phoa Library and Residence
© John Linden

The screen panels are made of bronze anodized aluminum – water jet cut for a precise and patterned variable apertures, referencing the original home’s precast concrete window grilles.

Although this is a contemporary design for the historic site, the building’s form and exterior materials match the historic home.

Morgan Phoa Library and Residence
© John Linden


Morgan Phoa Library and Residence
Site Plan
Morgan Phoa Library and Residence
Plans / Section

SPF : architects
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SPF : architects
8609 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232, United States