- Project: Stradella
- Architect: SAOTA
- Location: United States, Bel Air, Los Angeles, California
- Year: 2018
- Area: 1700 m2
- Photography: Adam Letch
Perched high on a wooded promontory in Bel Air, Los Angeles, the Stradella Residence by SAOTA redefines what it means to remodel. Originally a 1970s Spanish-style house, the transformation—SAOTA’s first completed project in Los Angeles—has resulted in a contemporary residence that fuses Californian Modernism with international luxury design.
A Total Transformation with Panoramic Intent
Set on a carefully oriented site that naturally shields it from the street while maximizing 270-degree views of Downtown LA, Century City, the Pacific Ocean, and the surrounding hills, the original structure was stripped back to its timber skeleton. SAOTA then reimagined the home as a light-filled, open-plan sanctuary, removing solid walls and inserting floor-to-ceiling glass to bring the outdoors in and amplify natural light.
“This remodel was about more than updating—it was about completely rethinking the house to celebrate LA’s climate, lifestyle, and views,” says SAOTA.
A Sculptural Arrival and Delayed Reveal
The approach to the home is cinematic. A driveway carved into the hillside arrives at a tree-lined forecourt. The entry façade presents a bold composition of vertical bronze screens, stone cladding, and sculpted masses. Inside, a carved asymmetrical corridor delays the view, heightening the drama as visitors step into the double-height great room with sweeping views of the city skyline.
The architecture intentionally transitions from heavy, grounded forms near the hillside to light, suspended volumes cantilevering over the slope—mimicking the experience of floating above the city.
Modernist Living Reimagined
The new floorplan draws direct inspiration from the Case Study Houses of mid-century California, prioritizing porosity, natural light, and free-flowing indoor-outdoor spaces. Key features include:
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Sliding, full-height glazing that pockets completely to erase boundaries between inside and out
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A 40-meter linear canopy that stretches across the east terrace, framing LA’s blue sky and linking all social spaces beneath a single architectural gesture
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Reconfigured outdoor areas including a new pool, terraced planters, dining pavilion, and a theater and dining wing that hover above the exit driveway
The master suite, key bedrooms, and bathrooms open to suspended terraces with views of the city, pool, and lush vegetation. A new basement level accommodates a gym, spa, cellar, and staff quarters, freeing the main floor for open-plan living.
Material Palette and Lighting Precision
The home’s exterior blends white plaster, French limestone, bronze anodized aluminum, and light grey window frames—balancing bold form with tactile warmth. Internally, grey-washed ash millwork, limestone floors, and oak bedroom flooring introduce a harmonious, natural texture.
Lighting was custom-designed to suit each zone, using concealed fixtures and accent lighting to enhance intimacy while keeping the focus on architecture—and, of course, the twinkling LA skyline.
Lush Landscaping for a Leafy Setting
Though an internal courtyard was not possible, the landscaping brings nature into every view. Twin palms at the pool were preserved, while indigenous planting, grassy terraces, and a mature tree in the forecourt soften the sharp architecture and define a sense of place. Outdoor zones remain functional, elegant, and visually connected to the horizon.
A New Chapter in Californian Modernism
More than a remodel, Stradella Residence by SAOTA is a complete reimagining—a hillside estate that delivers a fresh interpretation of LA’s architectural heritage. With its sculptural lines, immersive vistas, and luxurious open plan, the house reflects a new era of contemporary West Coast living.
