Dezeen Magazine

Moore House by Woods + Dangaran

Woods + Dangaran updates 1960s California home by Craig Ellwood

Glazed walls, teak flooring and an original koi pond feature in a mid-century residence in Los Angeles that has received a sensitive refresh by local firm Woods + Dangaran.

Built in 1965, the Moore House was designed by architect Craig Ellwood, who was known for creating homes that fused modernism with California's breezy lifestyle. The 1,700-square-foot (158-square-metre) residence is situated on a hillside in LA's Los Feliz neighbourhood.

The home is an original 1960s California home by Craig Ellwood
Wooden steps lead to the single-storey Moore House

The current owners are a married couple who wanted to update the house while preserving many of its original details. To oversee the renovation, they turned to local studio Woods + Dangaran, led by Brett Woods and Joseph Dangaran.

"The overall intent of the design was to respect the historic structure and integrity of the home, while restoring and updating the finishes and fixtures so they're tailored for the owner's modern lifestyle," the duo said.

The rectangular, single-storey home sits atop a tall, concrete block foundation and has glass walls set within a redwood frame. Wooden steps lead to glazed entry doors that slide open and closed.

The project is by Woods + Dangaran
A swimming pool was added during the renovation, while an original koi pond was retained

The exterior received a full update. New glazing was installed, and the existing wood structure and fascias were restored.

"Needing significant work, the shell of the home is upgraded to preserve the longevity of the structure and to meet contemporary performance standards," the architects said.

Woods + Dangaran added neutral interiors to the home
The main suite has teak finishes and large windows

Inside, the home has a fluid and straightforward layout. A main suite occupies one end, and a guest bedroom and an office are located at the other. The central portion is turned over to an open area for living, dining and cooking.

Woods + Dangaran updated finishes throughout, including textured plaster on the ceiling and honey-coloured teak flooring. Rooms are furnished with both vintage and contemporary pieces that work in concert with the home's mid-century aesthetic.

In the living room, the team placed an Arflex leather sofa by Umberto Asnago that is flanked by stone tables that the architects custom designed. Bulbous lamps by Foscarini help to enliven the space.

The room is further adorned with a B&B Italia coffee table by Paolo Piva and rounded armchairs by Philippe Malouin. A floor-to-ceiling shelving unit contains niches for books, cocktail supplies and the clients' record player.

The project is called Moore House
The living room includes comfy furniture and custom-designed tables

The adjoining dining area is furnished with a white oak table by Rummler and wire chairs by Overgaard & Dyrman. A brass lighting fixture by Florian Schulz hangs overhead.

Like other areas of the home, the main bedroom suite features neutral colours and a restrained material palette. Teak was used for wall cladding, a floating console and a pair of bedside tables. A headboard is wrapped in tufted leather.

White oak in the dining area
The adjoining dining area is furnished with a white oak table

In the main bathroom, a skylight illuminates a shower clad in metallic bronze tiles from Ann Sacks.

The guest bathroom features a dark Emperador marble countertop and a wall sheathed in Japanese porcelain tiles. Light is provided by a skylight and a pair of vintage, globe-shaped pendants by Frank Ligtelijn.

Outside of the home, the team added a new 60-foot (18-metre) lap pool and a concrete deck with a fire pit. An existing koi pond was kept intact.

Globe-shaped pendants by Frank Ligtelijn in the guest bathroom
Japanese porcelain tiles line the guest bathroom

Other restored mid-century homes in California include the Julius Shulman Home and Studio in Hollywood Hills, which was originally designed by Raphael Soriano and was updated by LOHA, and a plywood-clad Eichler home in Silicon Valley that was renovated by Klopf Architecture.

The photography is by Joe Fletcher.


Project credits:

Interior design: Woods + Dangaran
Structural and civil engineer: Labib Funk and Associates
General contractor: GHBW
Landscape architect: Chris Sosa
Arborist: The Tree Resource
Soils engineer: Grover Hollingsworth and Associates
Surveying: Northlake Land Surveying
As built: AsBuilt Conditions
Casework: Woods + Dangaran, Silverstrand
Title 24: Solargy
Permit: Crest Real Estate

More images and plans

Site plan
Site plan
Cross section
Cross section
Moore House by Woods + Dangaran
Moore House by Woods + Dangaran
Moore House by Woods + Dangaran
Moore House by Woods + Dangaran
Moore House by Woods + Dangaran
Moore House by Woods + Dangaran
Moore House by Woods + Dangaran