DIGS is the premiere luxury real estate lifestyle magazine serving the most affluent neighborhoods in the South Bay and Westside of Los Angeles, California.
Issue link: https://www.southbaydiggs.com/i/98349
ARCHITECT | DESIGN | BUILD 2012 PRITZKAT & JOHNSON Miles Pritzkat, from Pritzkat & Johnson Architects, believes "renovation and transformation is like a custom made suit." Pritzkat's and Keith Johnson's renovation of the Dauchot Residence in Palos Verdes reflects this philosophy in terms of elements built P R I T K AT & J O H N S O N especially for the tenants to support their living style. The project started as a kitchen remodel, but became a complete transformation from mainstream to modern. Once the tenants realized the architects could help sculpt their What is your favorite architectural icon in the world? dream home, they opted for a carved out wine cellar, a remodeled pool, and an office. "The Miles Pritkat: I would narrow it down to "my world", a place with personal project was about understanding the potentials of the house and the clients' lifestyle," says relevance that can be experienced with some frequency. The Casino in Pritzkat. "We created a better flow by determining their needs and creating solutions." Avalon on Catalina Island is a fanciful, classical and functional. It celebrates the promise of living in Southern California, something that we can lose sight of. What architectural figure, living or historical, has made the biggest impact on your career? Miles Pritkat: I took a trip to the Grand Canyon three years ago to discover the architect/designer who had influenced me from an early age without What is your favorite architectural icon in the world? my awareness: Mary Colter. When there were few women in the workplace Keith Johnson: Having grown up in the Midwest, one of my favorite Architectural icons is and design world, she shaped the perception of millions of visitors to the the Sears Tower (now the Willis Tower) in Chicago. American West and Southwest. Her designs celebrate the natural history of the locale in the architecture and interior design. What architectural figure, living or historical, has made the biggest impact on your career? If you could design your dream home, what style would it be and where Keith Johnson: Mike Brady. Although a fictional character, he had a good family life and a would you build it? sense of humor. Those things keep you grounded while working in this profession. Miles Pritkat: I grew up in Redondo Beach, a block from the Pacific Ocean, so my views have been slanted! Gotta be by the ocean! The specific style… needs to allow the occupants to have an open relationship with this resort- it? like setting where we live…I am gravitating to styles that find a balance Keith Johnson: It would have secret passageways behind paintings, ladders behind between a relaxed formality that nods to our cultural traditions but that also grandfather clocks to upper level rooms and a roof deck with an ocean view. I haven't allow us to live in paradise. 58 If you could design your dream home, what style would it be and where would you build decided which ocean yet. SOUTHBAYDIGS.COM | 12.14.2012