A remarkable residence perched on a steep 45-percent slope in the Hollywood Hills demonstrates how architectural creativity can transform challenging terrain into luxury living space. Designed by Kristen Becker of Mutuus Studio and completed in 2016, this striking home was commissioned by an actor-director couple seeking to recreate the intimate, carefully curated atmosphere of their New York City penthouse loft in Los Angeles.
The project's most significant challenge came from the steep, oak-dotted hillside, but Becker successfully converted these constraints into unique architectural opportunities that define the home's distinctive character. Drawing inspiration from the clients' travels through Ireland and their fascination with European castles, Becker created a sequence of spaces that unfold with theatrical drama and atmospheric quality reminiscent of ancient fortresses.
Visitors experience the home's castle-like qualities immediately upon arrival, entering through a striking bridge constructed of wood, steel, and concrete that spans a secret garden before reaching an imposing bronze door. The garden seamlessly connects to a central courtyard where natural sunlight filters through floor-to-ceiling windows into the bathroom below, creating the atmospheric quality that echoes medieval architecture while maintaining modern functionality.
The design philosophy blends influences from both medieval castles and industrial buildings, resulting in an aesthetic that feels simultaneously raw and refined. Rather than fighting against the challenging topography, the multi-story structure steps down the hillside in a cascading fashion, allowing each level to capture different panoramic views of the surrounding landscape dotted with native shrubs, cacti, and mature oak trees.
Natural light plays a crucial role throughout the interior spaces, flooding in through expansive glazing that maximizes the connection to the outdoors. A particularly innovative feature is the garage-style door in the main living area that lifts upward to completely dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior spaces. This seamless connection extends the living area onto the terrace, taking full advantage of California's temperate climate year-round.
The home's structural foundation consists of steel and concrete, providing the industrial backbone necessary to support the open, flowing layout that characterizes the interior spaces. This industrial framework allows for generous, unobstructed living areas while maintaining the structural integrity required for the challenging hillside location.
Interior design played an equally important role in bringing the vision to life, with Becker collaborating closely with the clients to select furnishings that reflect their globetrotting lifestyle and eclectic artistic taste. The main living room showcases rich caramel leather sofas paired with bold leopard-print stools and an elegant bronze and glass coffee table designed by Willy Daro. The walls feature an impressive collection that includes African artwork displayed alongside pieces from Brian Henson's childhood collection.
The dining area creates its own distinctive atmosphere with a classic Finn Juhl teak table surrounded by Peter Moos chairs, all illuminated by a custom Facaro bicycle chain chandelier that adds an unexpected element of whimsy to the sophisticated space. This playful touch demonstrates how industrial elements can be incorporated in creative ways throughout the design.
Throughout the residence, vintage pieces from different eras and continents coexist harmoniously, creating a globally-inspired aesthetic. Notable furniture includes Ricardo Fasanello's distinctive Anel chair sharing space with Bruno Mathsson's comfortable Pernilla Lounge Chair, antique Chinese sideboards that provide both storage and visual interest, vintage Japanese benches that add authentic cultural elements, and a classic Norman Cherner swivel chair from the 1960s. Additional lighting comes from an Arc dome pendant by Allied Maker that illuminates a vintage Warren Bacon saddle stool.
Every design element received thoughtful consideration during the collaborative process between the design team and the homeowners, ensuring that each piece contributed to creating a seamless and cohesive experience throughout the space. This careful curation process resulted in interiors that feel both worldly and deeply personal to the clients' lifestyle and aesthetic preferences.
The Hollywood Hills House serves as compelling evidence that luxury and modesty can successfully coexist in contemporary residential design. Becker's background in dance significantly informed the seamless flow between rooms, where movement feels intuitive and natural rather than forced or awkward. The residence successfully delivers a sophisticated California lifestyle while maintaining impressive efficiency in both space utilization and resource management.
Photography by Kevin Scott beautifully captures how this modern interpretation of a castle commands its dramatic hilltop position, offering a fresh and innovative interpretation of the iconic Case Study Houses that helped define mid-century California architecture. The completed project establishes its own distinctive contemporary presence within the broader Los Angeles architectural landscape, proving that thoughtful design can overcome even the most challenging site conditions to create extraordinary living spaces.
