Building Projects

Landale Residence
	A 3-story single-family residence built for my two sons, Josh (Schwarzenegger's character in the movie Twins) and Gabriel (Danny DeVito's character in the movie Twins).
	Click for more Info The challenge of this project revolved around the fact that it is located in an earthquake/liquefaction area in Studio City where the geological codes limit residential homes to two stories. A third story provided a magnificent view. The extensive foundations of 3 story plus apartment buildings could address the liquefaction problem, but what didn't make sense to me was the fact that one could build a two story plus attic single family residence in accordance with the code without any geological engineering at all! The authors of the liquefaction maps in Sacramento agreed that it was a spirit versus letter of the law issue and were able to persuade the geologists in the building department to okay it. So, it was a precedent making building project. Click to Show/Hide Images of the Landale Residence

Hollywood Hills Project
	A hillside pool and waterfalls, cabana, koi pond and multiple decks with spectacular views of the Hollywood Hills sign, the Griffith Observatory, and downtown LA.
	Click for more Info The challenge of this job revolved around a slope so severe that it seemed cost prohibitive. As both a designer and licensed general contractor, I was able to continually re-work the design to minimize the cost (for example, the number of caissons needed to support the work). Although the project turned out pretty much as planned, the owner insisted on a few design changes which I don't think improved the overall design. For example, the pool was originally designed to be more natural and she insisted on fake/fabricated stone work, as opposed to integrating fabricated stone with real stone (together with creative landscaping) to make the whole environment look natural. One feature which is not shown in the photos is a sheet rock waterfall that flows over the walkway around the pool Click to Show/Hide Images of the Hollywood Hills Project

Greenleaf Residence
	My own home, done in a Tudor-meets-nails-through-my-foot style. We designed this home to be a refuge from modern-day life. By combining a koi pond and lush garden with 3 Satan's Hellhounds (purebred), 4 finches, 3 cockatiels, and cockatoo, we are able to create tranquility that surpasses even the famous Benedictine monasteries.
	Click for more Info This has been an ongoing project for 30 years with a lot of funny (and not so funny) stories like the nails-through-the-foot variety that may remind you of the father in the children's book series, Berenstein's Bears. Case in point: While installing a large window in my office/guest house with my son, Josh, standing by, I was hanging outside supported only by a thin rope. Even as a young boy, Josh asked if it was secure enough and while assuring him it was, the rope broke and I went tumbling down the hillside, breaking my leg. Click to Show/Hide Images of the Greenleaf Residence