Anawalt House
In Anawalt House, Walker Workshop pushes the boundaries of residential construction to connect indoors and out.
Set just off Sunset Boulevard, the site of Anawalt House allows residents the classic Los Angeles experience of mountains and city. “When the owners purchased the property in 2005, there was an existing home on the plot,” says Noah Walker, owner of Walker Workshop. “It was a typical bungalow with a pitched roof, and we knew from the outset that it would have to be changed radically to become what the owners needed. In this instance, we served as both the architect and general contractor, so there was room to modify the structure in a way that we couldn’t on a solely architectural project.” The design brief was simple; it called for a sophisticated home that champions indoor-outdoor living.
In Anawalt House, Walker Workshop pushes the boundaries of residential construction to connect indoors and out.
A view of the pool deck is immediately visible upon entering Anawalt House. It extends to the left of a small living room with sliding glass doors. To the right of that room sits a double-height atrium around which the other zones are organised – to its left lies the den, to its right the kitchen and pantry, and at its far end a sweeping staircase leads to the primary suite. “One of the biggest challenges while crafting the atrium was installing the oversized glass pocket doors,” Walker says. “At the time, they were said to be the largest residential sliding doors in North America. The sheer size of them required a dedicated installation crew with cranes.” An architectural highlight, the fitted doors define the home by its relationship to its surroundings.
The material palette of Anawalt House aligns with its modern, minimalist style. Stucco walls form the foundation of a timeless exterior, elevated by reclaimed wood accents and aluminium louvres wrapped in wood veneer. “The interior materials were selected to match the simplicity of those used externally,” Walker explains. “There are a couple of walls finished in tadelakt plaster – one of the more dynamic plaster finishes – and we applied oak panelling to the two-storey wall of the atrium.” Within the neutral colour palette, a section of bold marble in the kitchen reflects the clients’ love of entertaining, while in the bathrooms the material is balanced by a subtle travertine.
