- Project: Bellgave Residence
- Architect: SAOTA
- Location: United States, Los Angeles
- Year: 2021
- Area: 755 m2
- Photography: Mike Kelley
Bellgave Residence, a private home designed by acclaimed South African architectural firm SAOTA, redefines luxury living in the Hollywood Hills. Perched on a steep promontory above Laurel Canyon Boulevard, this architectural gem offers sweeping panoramic views that stretch from downtown Los Angeles to the shores of Santa Monica.
Echoing the legacy of mid-century icons like Pierre Koenig’s Stahl House (Case Study House No. 22)—which is visible on a nearby ridge—Bellgave Residence embraces the spirit of California modernism while pushing the boundaries of contemporary design.
Elevated Living Inspired by the Los Angeles Grid
Strategically aligned with the north-south orientation of the city’s grid, the home rises on pillars and caissons to maximize its unobstructed views. Its layered horizontal planes—projecting boldly from the cliff’s edge—create dynamic terraces and cantilevered platforms that mirror the vast Los Angeles skyline.
The main lounge floats within a dramatic glass box, projecting outward as though suspended above the city. Beneath it, a rim-flow pool extends along the deck, blurring the line between structure and landscape, and merging near and distant views.
Bellgave doesn’t just observe the city—it becomes a part of its visual identity.
Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Transitions
The architectural narrative flows from the intimate entrance—defined by curving, high walls—to the open, elevated spaces beyond. These sculptural walls frame the entrance while filtering sunlight through shadow-casting olive trees, balancing privacy with poetic lightplay.
Once inside, the architecture transitions into rectilinear geometries that guide visitors from enclosed spaces to the openness of terraces and lounges. Interior and exterior areas are carefully interlinked, featuring:
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Sculptural landscaping with olive trees
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Al fresco dining spaces
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Poolside lounge zones
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Seamlessly connected indoor living and dining areas
The upper-level bedrooms provide private sanctuaries that float above the urban sprawl—serene retreats elevated both physically and experientially.
Material Palette Rooted in Modernist Heritage
Bellgave Residence respects its context through a restrained material palette that pays homage to mid-century architecture. Key finishes include:
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Stucco and timber flooring for warmth and texture
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Travertine surfaces for timeless elegance
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Chiselled Jerusalem limestone, nodding to the J. Paul Getty Museum nearby
The landscaping, inspired by the Mediterranean climate, complements the home’s architectural language, reinforcing a lifestyle grounded in outdoor living and sustainability.
Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future
As a bold evolution of the Case Study House tradition, Bellgave Residence both reveres and reinvents the spirit of Los Angeles modernism. SAOTA’s design not only pays tribute to its architectural predecessors but sets a new standard for contemporary hillside homes.
