THE REBUILDING OF LOS ANGELES.
THE REMAKING OF HOME.

We are proud to be one of the 40 visionary architectural firms participating in Case Study 2.0, a revival of the historic Case Study House Program. We’re providing aesthetically refined, fire resilient architectural plans to empower communities impacted by the fires to rebuild beautifully, resiliently, and affordably.

Designed for a changing world and the future of living. This is the remaking of home.

PROJECT NARRATIVE

Wildfire Resilience & Safety
The Threshold House prioritizes fire safety through non-combustible materials (stucco, aluminum cladding, metal roofing), clean rooflines without exposed eaves, all-electric systems that eliminate ignition sources, and strategic landscaping that creates defensive zones. The courtyard serves as a functional firebreak between structures, while tempered windows resist heat damage.

Sustainability & Energy Performance
Environmental responsibility is integrated through an optimized building envelope, all-electric systems compatible with renewable energy, natural ventilation strategies, durable low-maintenance materials, indoor-outdoor connections for daylighting, and water-efficient fixtures appropriate for drought-prone regions.

The Threshold House consists of a 3,280 SF two-story main residence with 5 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, complemented by a detached 625 SF accessory dwelling unit (ADU) with 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom. This thoughtful configuration maximizes the standard lot size while creating a flexible living environment that can evolve with changing family needs.

At the core of our design philosophy is the concept of “Together, Apart”—creating spaces that enable both communal living and personal privacy. The home is organized into a series of interconnected zones that allow for seamless gathering, yet can be discreetly partitioned to create quiet retreats:

A central courtyard serves as the emotional and social core between the main house and ADU. When fully opened, the property functions as one cohesive residence for extended families & when separated by a movable gate system, each unit maintains its own private outdoor space.
Shared spaces such as the kitchen, dining area, and family room anchor the heart of the home, encouraging daily interaction
Private bedrooms and secondary outdoor spaces offer necessary respite and privacy
This spatial threshold encourages both intentional interaction and incidental connection while providing acoustic and visual buffering between the two living volumes—supporting multigenerational living arrangements while fostering moments of connection.

Affordability & Construction Efficiency
Cost efficiency is achieved through the MiTek modular truss system that reduces construction time and improves predictability, simplified rectilinear forms using standard methods, open floor plans that maximize usable space, and all-electric systems that eliminate gas infrastructure. The adaptable design prevents costly future renovations as family needs evolve.

Adaptable Living for Changing Needs
The design anticipates family evolution through modular interior spaces that can be reconfigured without structural changes, one barrier-free accessible bedroom suite, a multi-purpose ADU for rental income or extended family, and dedicated retreat spaces for privacy—all without requiring extensive renovation as needs change.

By embracing these principles, the Threshold House proposes not just a building, but a way of living—modular yet rooted, efficient yet generous, private yet open to community. Designed as a replicable model, it contributes to a collective vision for rebuilding: one that centers dignity, sustainability, and the enduring strength of home while honoring the Palisades’ natural setting and architectural legacy of quiet elegance and integration with landscape.

DESIGN

VENTS
All vents are ember-resistant and WUI-compliant, featuring fine mesh screens (1/8-inch or finer) and minimized placement to prevent intrusion. Roof and crawl space venting is fully enclosed and integrated into the overall fire-safe assembly, limiting vulnerability during fire events.

EMBER-RESITANT FEATURES
Clean rooflines without exposed eaves, metal screens at all openings, and sealed soffit assemblies work together to prevent ember entry. The modular truss system allows for full insulation and air-tight sealing at the roof level, enhancing both fire safety and energy efficiency.

SUSTAINABILITY
The all-electric design integrates with renewable energy sources while eliminating fossil fuel dependencies. Passive strategies like solar orientation, cross ventilation, and indoor-outdoor connections reduce energy loads. The building envelope is optimized for efficiency in current and projected climate conditions.

DESIGN QUALITIES
The central courtyard embodies our “Together, Apart” concept, promoting multigenerational living and intentional interaction while providing acoustic and visual buffering between living spaces. The open floor plan in communal areas encourages family togetherness, while dedicated retreat spaces provide necessary privacy.

CONSTRUCTION METHODOLOGY
The MiTek modular inverted truss roof system brings measurable efficiencies—shortened site erection time, cost predictability, and material optimization. Known material quantities and prefabricated components reduce build time, limit waste, and support quality control throughout construction.

ADDITIONAL SPECIAL FEATURES
The 625 SF accessory dwelling unit creates flexible living arrangements, supporting rental income, home office needs, or accommodations for aging parents or adult children. One primary bedroom with ensuite bathroom is designed for potential barrier-free accessibility without requiring renovation.

CUSTOMIZATION POTENTIAL
The modular system and open interior framework allow residents to modify room configurations, upgrade finishes, or scale the design to meet changing needs. When fully opened, the property functions as one cohesive residence; when separated by a movable gate system, each unit maintains its own private outdoor space. Stucco material allows for a wide range of customization within a standard plan.

FIRE RESISTANCE
This home is designed with a fire-adaptive envelope, using Class A fire-rated materials and simplified detailing to eliminate vulnerable edges. The layout minimizes exposed overhangs and incorporates fire-resistant finishes throughout, creating a resilient structure in this wildfire-prone region.

ROOFING
The standing seam metal roof offers superior fire resistance and durability, with no exposed eaves or vents at the roof edge, minimizing ignition risks from ember intrusion. Its clean, modern profile reinforces the home’s streamlined architectural identity while providing essential protection against wildfire threats.

BUILDING SIDING
A restrained palette of smooth stucco and aluminum cladding creates a resilient, low-maintenance façade. These non-combustible materials contribute to a clean, contemporary aesthetic suited to the coastal context while providing critical fire resistance in the Palisades environment.

WINDOWS & DOORS
High-performance, tempered multi-paned windows and doors are strategically placed for cross ventilation and thermal comfort. All glazing meets WUI (Wildland-Urban Interface) code standards, with frames constructed from fire-resistant materials designed to resist breakage during extreme heat events.

DEFENSIBLE SPACE INTEGRATION
The landscape design incorporates fire-resistant native plants, gravel buffers, and clearly defined hardscape zones to reduce fuel load around the home. The interior courtyard serves as both a functional firebreak between structures and a central gathering space for daily outdoor living.

EFFICENCY
By decoupling structural roof framing from interior partitioning, the design allows interior walls to be freely located without additional structural support, enabling easy reconfiguration as family needs evolve. The predictable assembly process limits labor variability and accelerates the construction timeline.

STYLE FEATURES
The home honors the Palisades’ architectural legacy of quiet elegance and integration with landscape. Vertical volumes, a low horizontal roofline, and clean material transitions reflect both regional history and modern resilience while maintaining a connection to the site’s coastal context.