The Bellissimo Residence

A custom home I designed and built for a client in the exclusive Los Angeles area, completed in 2006. This project perfectly embodies the 'Form and Function' approach that defines my 35-year career.

The type of home is a modern interpretation of a classic American farmhouse or shingle-style estate, carefully balanced with refined European architectural elements, particularly evident in the stone chimneys and arched windows. This was a direct response to my client's desire for an elegant, understated luxury that felt both expansive and incredibly welcoming.

My services on the 'Bellissimo Residence' covered the entire spectrum of design-build. I personally guided the project from the initial architectural concepts, ensuring the home's orientation maximized natural light and backyard views, through meticulous construction management, down to the final interior finishes. The goal was to deliver a truly bespoke living experience where every detail resonated with the client's lifestyle.

This estate spans approximately 7,500 square feet, making it a significant luxury residence. The 'Form' is expressed through its crisp white siding, the warmth of the natural stone, and the symmetrical placement of its numerous windows and French doors, inviting the Californian sunshine in. The 'Function' is evident in the seamless flow between the interior spaces and the expansive, manicured lawn and outdoor living areas, designed for effortless entertaining and comfortable family life. This home remains a testament to creating sophisticated spaces that are profoundly livable."

 This home's 'Function' was designed to embrace the California climate, not fight it. Notice the sheer number of windows and French doors—this was an intentional strategy to maximize natural daylighting, flooding the 7,500-square-foot interior with light and drastically reducing the need for artificial lighting. 

Furthermore, the strategic placement of these operable windows creates a cross-ventilation system that pulls cool breezes through the home. The home's light-colored siding and 'cool roof' shingles reflect solar heat rather than absorbing it, which significantly lowers cooling costs. 

Finally, the seamless indoor-outdoor flow encourages a lifestyle connected to nature, while the use of durable materials like stone and high-quality siding ensures the home is built to last, which is the cornerstone of true sustainability." 

The interior of the 'Bellissimo Residence' is where 'Function' truly comes alive. The exterior’s clean lines and numerous windows were designed for one primary purpose: to flood the interior with natural light and connect it to the landscape.

I designed the main level as a bright, open-concept living space, where the kitchen, dining, and great room flow into one another, creating an expansive area for family life and entertaining. The most important feature is that natural light; it makes the entire 7,500-square-foot home feel airy and uplifting.

The design palette is all about understated luxury and natural materials. We used wide-plank hardwood floors throughout to provide warmth and visual continuity. In the great room, I anchored the space with a large fireplace, finishing it with the same natural stone we used on the exterior chimneys. This is a technique I often use to create a powerful, seamless connection between the inside and out.

The 'Function' was paramount. The gourmet kitchen was the heart of the home, featuring professional-grade appliances, a massive center island, and custom cabinetry. The master suite was designed as a private sanctuary with a spa-like bathroom and its own access to the grounds. Every finish was chosen to create an atmosphere that is both sophisticated and deeply comfortable—a home that looks beautiful but, more importantly, feels right."

Project management for the 'Bellissimo Residence' was an exercise in precision. As the design-build architect, my role was to be the single point of accountability for the client and the hands-on leader for every person on the job site.

For a 7,500-square-foot home built on the principle of natural light, the most critical management task was the perfect integration of the home's structure and its openings. 

This involved:

1. Detailed Coordination: I personally managed the collaboration between the structural engineer, the framers, and the window manufacturer. With so many large windows and French doors, the engineering had to be exact, and I was on-site to ensure the framers executed those plans flawlessly.
2. Material & Artisan Oversight: This home's 'Form' is defined by the blend of natural stone and crisp, shingle-style siding. I was responsible for sourcing the specific stone and managing the masons to ensure it was applied correctly—not just on the chimneys, but also on the interior fireplace to create that seamless indoor-outdoor connection.
3. Protecting the 'Function': The open-concept 'Function' of this home required a high level of interior management. I directly oversaw the installers for the wide-plank hardwood floors, ensuring a continuous, level flow through the entire main floor. I also managed the custom cabinetry and millwork teams to ensure the kitchen and built-ins were both beautiful and perfectly functional.

My management style is not about directing from an office; it's about being on-site to solve problems in real-time. By managing every detail, from the foundation pour to the final coat of paint, I ensure the architectural integrity is never compromised and that the final home is delivered exactly as I promised."

My design process is perhaps the most personal part of my 'Form and Function' service, and it's very different from most firms. In an age of digital-only design, I am a craftsman. I hand-draw all my initial schematics and blueprints. This is a deliberate, artistic choice. It allows me to explore the 'Form' and 'Function' of a home in a way a computer can't—it's about the feel and flow of the lines, not just the dimensions.

This process is a true partnership, which is why my policy is simple: I do not charge extra for additional renderings or design iterations. My service isn't about selling you a single, final blueprint; it's about guiding you on a journey to the perfect blueprint.

We will sit down, review the hand-drawn plans, and make adjustments—as many as it takes. My ultimate goal is to ensure you fall in love with your home long before we ever break ground. That is my commitment. We design and redesign until you are not just 'satisfied,' but truly excited and emotionally connected to the home we are about to build together."