66 DIGS.NET
| 9.3.2021
R E S T O R E D | E YR C
The couple were introduced to EYRC's work through a home
the firm had designed for the parents of one of their childrens'
friends. "They contacted me and we quickly built a rapport
around our shared enthusiasm for food, art and travel, especially
around Japan," Yanai remembers, "All these mutual interests
had a direct and positive impact on the design." In additional,
Yanai's personal background — born in Japan, he was raised
in California — enabled him to nimbly fuse these two influences
into a cohesive whole. He'd worked as a design journalist before
becoming an architect; he brings this narrative approach to his
design work. "These concepts particularly came through in this
project in many ways, from the overall organization of the home
to the details like a bench in the hallway."
Creating a sense of privacy was important to the design's
success. "The design is strategically planned to be two interlock-
ing L-shapes, the house and the exterior" says Yanai. "Despite
the tight site, this design helps maximize privacy and create
additional living space." Feature walls and tall plantings also
help shield the family from their neighbors as does orienting the
home towards back and screening the street side of the home.
In fact, despite the home's proximity to its neighbors, the overall
experience is one of light and air and greenery and tranquility.
Floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors completely open up the first
floor, dissolving the boundaries between interior and exterior. EYRC
looked to Lizz Speed Landscapes, who seamlessly combined
Japanese and California influences, for the garden's design. "Maxi-
mizing the connection to the yard was really important," Yanai,
explains, "The grass literally comes up to the very edge of the house,
softening this relationship and making it into an outdoor living room.'
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