Baxter

Nestled in the heart of a hillside tripartite lot on one of the steepest streets in Los Angeles, the Baxter house reimagines modern living, blurring the lines between structure and environment.

The quiet modern architectural volume, opportunely angled, allows for sweeping views of the Silverlake Reservoir ensuring that the house enhances its environment. The street side entry gate, emerging from the landscape, transforms into a welcoming portal. The pool deck anchors the heart of domestic life, and the gardens offer a secluded sanctuary, all while engaging in a silent dialogue with neighboring mid-century modern masterpieces; the house sits in conversation with Neutra’s VDL House to the north, Lautner’s “lost” Jules Salkin Residence to the east, and the Reiner-Burchill (Silvertop) Residence to the west; all works exploring contemporary ideas of space and habitat. Designed for an aesthete, the residence is the creative collaboration of local artisans, merging the client’s punk and vintage aesthetic with the area’s architectural heritage.

The restored garden pays homage to the historic Villa Capistrano Gardens, preserving the legacy of Julian Eltinge—a vestige of communal history. The home’s design features black masonry walls that follow the existing topography, carving into the hillside. The CMU blocks nod to mid-century materiality with a parametric patterning, each rotation casting a unique shadow, creating a facade that is dynamic. This abode is not just a dwelling but a collective artistic endeavor, capturing the essence of Silver Lake’s eclectic spirit.