Canyon House by Aaron Neubert Architects

Design
Architect: Aaron Neubert
Project Manager: Jeremy Limsenben
Builder: deKrassel Construction

Materials
SL-Series Slimline heaters

Aaron Neubert, founder of ANX, is one of the top architects for designing contemporary homes and commercial spaces in Los Angeles. Because of his expertise in making beautiful, complex designs that are still practical and functional, his projects have been featured in various publications such as the LA Times, which recently featured a home Aaron Neubert designed in the Hollywood Hills. We talked to him about his inspirations and why Infratech heaters were his top choice for this project.

Before the renovation The existing home was constructed in 1992 and designed in the late 1980s. While a large home, it was very dark and the spaces were not well connected to each other or the landscape. The materials and finishes were very dated and worn out. The home also needed some serious upgrades in finishes, but also in the electrical systems, appliances, and lighting. Goals going into this project Upon first visiting the home, our plan was to utilize the panoramic view of the city as the main feature of the house. We decided to demolish the entire interior to open up the space within and to add floor-to-ceiling windows and doors to connect the interiors to the terraces and the views beyond. Once we opened up the exterior walls, it was obvious how significant the engagement with the outside would transform the life of the home.

The heaters are well designed and out of sight. It looked like something designed by a designer.

— Aaron Neubert

Inspirations for the Project
Our primary inspirations were the views to the city and Wattles Canyon Park that were ignored by the original home. Establishing the natural connection between the interior space and the terraces was the pivotal gesture in the design. From there, our work was focused on developing an interior palette that was warm and clean to support the clients’ lifestyle.

About the Design
The home’s entry experience is developed to screen the courtyard and stair hall from passing automobile lights and noise. And due to the potential for panoramic views of Los Angeles and the adjacent Runyon Canyon and Wattles Canyon Parks, our design focused on creating transparency at the rear of the home with fixed and operable floor to ceiling glazing, opening the interior to the natural environment.

Outdoor Design Approach
Outdoor design is fundamental to all of our residential projects. We’ve had a lot of success incorporating interior and exterior spaces towards a comprehensive design sensibility. As many of our residential projects are in Los Angeles, the climate encourages the maximization of the entire property for the living environment.

Integrating Infratech
To make the outdoor living areas as comfortable and welcoming as possible, we selected an Infratech heating system in part because the fixtures’ sleek design complemented the home’s minimalist style. Heat output was also a concern, due to the height at which the heaters were installed. Infratech’s ambient, energy-efficient and low-maintenance performance translated into comfort for the clients, who now enjoy the view from their interior rooms and outdoor terraces throughout the year.

I think my favorite area of the home is the central stair. Before, it was essentially an excessively large utilitarian object dropped into the center of the house. Our objective was to turn the stair into the heart of the house.

We strive to develop environmental modernism informed by the geography, climate and lifestyles of our clients.

City views are a benefit of living in a beautiful city and building a home to highlight those views, to make the most of the scenery, is always our objective.

Outdoor living spaces are an essential component of this approach because they provide a sustainable medium by which to recapture usable space at a site.

“We wanted a product that produced the desired heating effect, while also working with the aesthetic of the project. In the end, Infratech heaters were the right solution for our challenge.”