When Sustainability and Evolution Coincide – Emeco House by David Saik Studio

Transformed from a forgotten 1940s sewing shop, Emeco House by David Saik Studio retains, restores and rejuvenates in equal measure. Designing to age gracefully, Emeco and David Saik Studio demonstrate an inspiring commitment to purposeful and sustainable design.

Located at the edge of a residential neighbourhood in Venice, Los Angeles, Emeco House is a combined work, living and event space for Emeco. The house sits in an area where many creatives live and work, therefore serving as a hub for local architects, designers and the community to come together. The initial structure has been reworked to form two separate living areas and one common living area with a kitchen, living room and balcony.

The house sits in an area where many creatives live and work, therefore serving as a hub for local architects, designers and the community to come together.

The renovation is grounded in an ethos that underpins Emeco – “Begin with what’s left over. Turn it into what will last.” The design process, therefore, focuses on retaining and restoring as much of the original building as possible, with thoughtful new integrations throughout. In this way, Lead Architect David Saik blurs the old with the new to craft a fitting reflection of the junction of sustainability and evolution, two elements that sit at the core of what Emeco stands for. The palette of materials includes high-quality choices that are durable. Lime plaster is used for the walls, and ground concrete and ash are used for the floors as it is solid and made to last.

Most of the bones of the building are kept the same, only the insulated panels in the ceiling were removed to expose wooden beams and add skylights. Clean edges and muted tones of oak and white dominate, with pops of colour throughout. David Saik Studio includes furniture as part of the architecture, like the bench at the front window, which echoes the idea of permanence.

The renovation is grounded in an ethos that underpins Emeco – “Begin with what’s left over. Turn it into what will last.”

Skylights welcome natural light into the home and provide ventilation, while solar energy has been installed and materials have been sourced sustainably. A large cactus grows through a light well in the centre of the building and is seen from almost all points in Emeco House, nurturing a continuous connection to the outdoors. Just as the cactus ties the house to nature, so do the many plants that surround the home.

A showcase of purposeful and sustainable design, Emeco House is not only a commitment to the ethos of Emeco itself, but is also a commitment to durable craftsmanship.