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Pro Portfolio: Two houses on one lot, a separate-but-equal approach for friends in Silver Lake

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Every Monday we post a recently built, remodeled or redecorated home with commentary from the designer. This week’s project consists of two homes built on a single lot:

Architect: Carter C. Bravmann, InterForm, Los Angeles, (323) 656-7316. Contractor: Mark Blanco, Westmont Construction, Glendora, (626) 485-0912.

Project: Westerly Terrace

Location: Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles

Goal: To create two separate yet equal modernist residences for two longtime friends on a lot zoned for a duplex.

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Architect’s description: Zoned for a duplex (R-2 in city of L.A. zoning parlance), this property has been owned by two best friends for years. One friend and his wife lived in one unit; the other friend in the second unit.

Because both worked at home and needed additional space, we devised a means to create two separate single-family houses on the lot. The property is still classified as R-2 with two newly reconfigured units of housing.

The rear portion of the property accommodates a new residence. The existing duplex at the front of the property was converted to a single-family home.

Each friend contributed 50% to the cost, decision-making and coordination efforts. It was a truly collaborative and democratic process. The completed homes also were meant to be examples of the evolution of the Los Angeles archetype: the single-family home. The reconfigured property has ample space and privacy, yet at a higher density than is found elsewhere in Los Angeles. It is also 100% solar powered and 100% solar-hot-water heated.

Each house reflects unique personalities, aesthetics and functional requirements. Each one relates to the other and fosters a sense of community and shared semi-private/public space for impromptu gatherings.

To see more of both homes, keep reading ...


House No. 1 is the property’s original duplex converted into a single-family residence. It now has a no-maintenance red cement board exterior with galvanized metal screeds.

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A covered entry leads to the glass front door and the main living areas on the top floor.


The living room is adjacent to the dining room in the open floor plan.

Looking back toward the front door.

Steel and glass stairs lead to the lower level.

The stairs, as seen from the lower level media/family room.

Textured embossed glass provides acoustical separation from the media/family room yet allows light to reach the stairs.

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Patterned tile in the bathroom.


House No. 2, which is all-new construction, as seen from House No. 1 at dusk.


House No. 2 as seen from ground level. Family room, dining area and kitchen are downstairs. A den and master bedroom with deck are upstairs.


A view of the dining room and its stone-clad fireplace, looking toward the kitchen.

You can see House No. 1 through the glass doors.

The family room, off the kitchen on the main floor.

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Corner sliding-glass doors yield another connection to House No. 1.

Upstairs, a den.

Another view of the upstairs den.


The master bedroom’s ceiling is clad in cedar. Outside, the deck.

In the master bathroom: a stone tile shower and bath and maple cabinets.

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-- Lisa Boone

Photo credits: Michael McNamera

Pro Portfolio appears here every Monday. Submit projects to home@latimes.com.

Follow future installments by bookmarking L.A. at Home or joining our Facebook page dedicated to California home design.

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