The Windsor Residence

Perched high in the Silver Lake hills, Windsor Residence transforms a once-unbuildable site through structural ingenuity and clean, modern design. Set 60 feet above the street, the 2,400-square-foot home was designed for a young creative couple working in animation, with a focus on maximizing views of the reservoir and downtown skyline. Large windows, sliding glass doors, and terraced patios planted with drought-tolerant gardens extend living space into the landscape.

A zigzagging stair leads up the slope to a double-height living pavilion, which occupies the footprint of the original home and rests on an existing retaining wall. Higher up the grade, a single-story bedroom wing anchors into bedrock and cantilevers outward to meet the living area. This creates a bridge-like form that spans the hillside and shades the dining patio below.

Sculptural board-formed concrete walls define the upper and lower courtyards. The upper courtyard acts as an extension of the primary bedroom, opening through large sliding doors to a plunge pool and hot tub—amenities made possible by savings from reusing the existing foundation.

By adapting to the site’s varied geology, AUX Architecture reduced the number of required structural caissons from more than 60 to just five, significantly cutting costs and limiting excavation.

Inside, a floating French white oak staircase connects the two wings. Each tread appears to emerge seamlessly from the wall, supported by a concealed steel structure. Interior finishes are restrained and warm: white walls, polished concrete floors, and natural daylight create a serene canvas, while wood, marble, stone, and iron accents lend material depth and texture.

Built on a modest budget amid complex permitting and site conditions, Windsor Residence exemplifies how thoughtful massing, efficient engineering, and refined material choices can turn a difficult hillside into a livable, contemporary home.