Designing Up

Venice as architectural laboratory

By Joe Piasecki

If anything defines Venice architecture, its that creativity is contagious.

Like nowhere else in Southern California, homeowners color outside the lines of traditional design to fashion dwellings that reflect individual lifestyles and tastes. But rather than clash, these various styles somehow mesh together into a cohesive landscape.

Take the Superba Avenue home of architect Doug Pierson and designer Youn Hee Choi (featured on the cover) a 1,500-square-foot structure defined by sloping trapezoidal roof lines and walls of white metal and hardwood that floats above 600 square feet of ground tucked behind a 1950s stucco bungalow.

Two doors down stands an early 1900s wooden carriage house that had once operated on Venice Boulevard, markedly different in design from the palette of high concept contemporary and more conventional homes in the immediate neighborhood.

The nice thing about Venice is that as long as people take care in expression and sense of place the design of the house tends to fit in. So you can have an historic carriage house right next to a contemporary house, and it makes perfect sense, said Pierson. Its much more of a vibe than a physical description [that defines Venice architecture].

While its true that Los Angeles city codes dictate the size but not the architectural style of homes, what makes Venice special is that homeowners tend to be more willing to use that freedom, said architect Ron Radziner, a partner in the firm Marmol Radziner.

Ultimately its the people who live in Venice, influenced by eclectic and interesting architecture, that give us the ability to visualize how homes can be unique statements, Radziner said.

The Pierson-Choi residence, completed in 2012, is one of 30 homes on display May 3 during the 21st annual Venice Garden & Home Tour, an event benefitting the local Neighborhood Youth Association.

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Designing Up