This luxury family home in Beverly Hills is the epitome of California cool, from its sleek style and chic interiors to its smart eco features. But funnily enough, architects Whipple Russell Architects transformed one of the main obstacles – the steep slope setting – into one of this home’s best features. The aptly named Summit House was named for this hill top hotspot and peak architectural design. Contemporary elements like the slope-side stairs, multiple volumes and floating planes spilling downhill, conforming to the rolling landscape. Inside, the house is made for socializing and entertaining, complete with its own modern art collection on display, exterior spiral staircase, glass walls inside and out, and a bowling alley. How’s that for a little luxury? Check it out.
The crisp, contemporary aesthetic cones via the geometric composition of the house and its cool palette of materials – glass, concrete and stone. A spiral staircase rises on the left hand side of the home, adding a bit of modern whimsy to the exterior.
The head-on view highlights the home’s various volumes, from its glass-enclosed uppers to the underground level buried into the hillside, with its clandestine glazed facade opening onto a deck carved into the slope.
Overhead, a resort-style pool and deck area is a favorite for family and friends to relax and entertain. The L-shaped house plan forms around the pool, with glass walls on the mail and upper levels wrapping it and lending a seamless transition between indoors and out. Sunny days spent by the pool , and tasty evening around outdoor fireplace – what more could you ask for? Of course, you haven’t seen the interiors yet!
This grand entrance echoes the material palette of the facade, featuring glass, stone and an ultra-modern edge.
According to the architects, “Our clients for this project were a family intent upon staying closely connected even while moving to a considerably larger home. This was accomplished with the use of energy efficient glass walls throughout, an open floor plan, and sight lines between floating levels and rooms allowing the family members to stay connected visually throughout the space.”
You really appreciate the home’s open layout from a bird’s eye view.
Aside from being obvious entertainers at heart, the homeowners were also avid art collectors, so the architects actually incorporated their collection of artwork in the house plans to ensure their size and placement were considered, as opposed to just throwing it up as an afterthought. The modern art is complemented by contemporary, sculptural furnishings that are as lovely to use as they are to view.
Glass walls offer lots of natural light and a smooth transition between indoors and out while enhancing the home’s already awesome sense of space.
Rich wood ceilings bring drama overhead without closing the space in, thanks to the soaring ceilings, glass walls and open concept layout. This stone fireplace instantly warms up the whole room.
Open to this living area and facing the flickering flame, the dining area and kitchen will whet your appetite for modern luxury, which is served up every single day. This sophisticated space is finished with modern wood cabinetry and a massive dining table overlapping the prep island and extending out toward the living room, visually connecting both spaces.
This house deserves a toast – no problem, it comes with its own wine cellar. Cheers!
The master bedroom is simple and stylish, with minimal furnishings and all the attention focused on the architecture and richness of materials. And like the rest of the home, it boasts views to die for! Overlooking the private pool area, this is a dream come true.
The spa-inspired bathroom boasts a sculptural bath and a separate shower room separated by a glass wall.
This contemporary home office area is all business. But you know what they say about all work and no play…
And speaking of play, what luxury house would be complete without its own bowling alley? Tucked below grade, it’s the perfect use of space. But the sloping property means this space too enjoys plenty of natural light and views, with direct access to the outdoors.
This extra-height powder room features a floor-to-ceiling stone wall – a material you see popping up throughout the house.
This secondary bedroom and office space on the upper level takes advantage of natural light and views through wall-to-wall windows and a glass wall opening onto a patio.
This house includes a number of sustainable technologies. They explain, “It uses extensive solar power, a gray-water reclamation system, and sound passive-solar design elements making it the first house permitted under the city of Beverly Hills green building ordinance.” But this green design started to take shape even before the house did. “Prior to construction, an old home on the property was intricately deconstructed so that building materials, fixtures and appliances could be reused or donated to non-profit organizations.”
Now, this is what we call contemporary style with a conscience!
Whipple Russell Architects
