The Croft Residence

A light-filled, modern sanctuary in a dense, residential neighborhood, the Croft Residence maximizes square footage while celebrating indoor-outdoor living.

Located in Los Angeles’ Melrose District, AUX Architecture’s design responds to the challenge of building a 4,500 square-foot home on a 40-foot-wide lot. To make efficient use of the site, the design incorporates a series of outdoor spaces on the ground and second floor. The spacious living area features 20-foot-wide sliding glass door that opens onto a reimagined existing pool and vertical succulent garden. Replacing backyard space displaced by the new building’s footprint, a roof deck and garden sit atop the main living space and connect to the bedroom suites.

The design carefully balances density with openness. Strategic massing and spatial incisions create outdoor patios and private balconies, allowing the home to breathe despite the site’s tight constraints. Exterior finishes contrast white stucco with gray Equitone fiber cement panels—a play of materials that emphasizes how the façade is carved away to bring natural light into the center of the home.

Built as a spec home, the project was constructed on a modest budget and maximizes square footage without sacrificing quality outdoor space. The Croft Residence reflects AUX Architecture’s commitment to practicality without compromising spatial qualities, resulting in an environmentally responsive home suited to the Southern California climate.