Designed by: @vincentvanduysenarchitects

Captured by: @stephenkentjohnson

EK Residence occupies a distinctive site in the tree-lined hills of Brentwood, on the west side of Los Angeles. Set on a gentle slope, the house draws on the intimacy and close relationship with nature often associated with mid-century modern architecture. Its façade, inspired by Belgian brickwork techniques, sits in quiet contrast to the surrounding sycamores, coast live oaks and native Californian vegetation. The architecture is organised through the juxtaposition of enclosed volumes, creating a fluid sequence of spaces that dissolve the boundary between indoors and outdoors.

Arranged around a central courtyard, the single-storey residence is planned to encourage continuity between spaces and daily activities. The only elevated volume houses a private office overlooking an oak meadow uphill, accessed by a sculptural spiral staircase. At ground level, a recreation area with stables, a swimming pool and a pool house is positioned between two mature groves of sycamore trees, extending the relationship between the house and its landscape.

The layout responds closely to the family's lifestyle, with open-plan living areas designed to support both everyday life and larger gatherings. Spaces flow naturally into one another, allowing family members and guests to move between quieter corners and communal areas throughout the day. At the centre of the house, the courtyard serves as its social heart, while three-metre-high sliding windows open the living spaces completely to the outdoors. Oak floors and ceilings, textured plaster walls, French limestone and dark bronze detailing reinforce the house's restrained material palette.

The living room is conceived as a generous volume overlooking the surrounding oak trees, with a continuous built-in bench extending the visual connection to the landscape. Interiors were developed in collaboration with homeowner Jenni Kayne, Vincent Van Duysen and Molly Isaksen Interiors, combining natural materials, soft textures, vintage furniture and artworks from Kayne's collection. Landscape design by Christine London and lighting by Sean O'Connor Lighting complete the project, while Kovac Design Studio coordinated the design team through to completion.