This renovation seeks to reimagine a classic Spanish-style home in Beachwood Canyon by drawing inspiration from the architectural principles of Mexican masters like Luis Barragán. Casa Cazaux creates a layered spatial experience through stepped walls and framed views, transforming the house into a dynamic interplay of form, light, and movement.

At the heart of the design is the notion of a terraced choreography — an intentional, fluid arrangement of interior and exterior spaces at different levels that allows for distinct programs to unfold in relation to one another. Each step in the vertical progression of the home opens up new perspectives and experiences, offering framed vistas of the surrounding natural beauty of the canyon and the city beyond.

Surrounded by nature, the new multi-leveled pool and spa creates a peaceful and inviting outdoor retreat; integrating timeless elements of Spanish architecture, such as white stucco walls, arched openings, and tiled surfaces, with contemporary interventions that reference the geometric simplicity of Barragán’s work.

The stepped walls serve not only as visual markers but as functional partitions that guide circulation and delineate distinct living zones, ensuring both privacy and openness. Each terrace or level is designed with a unique sense of proportion, encouraging moments of pause and reflection as one moves through the house.

The concept emphasizes the relationship between architecture and nature, with large openings and carefully composed views that invite the outside in while maintaining a sense of intimacy. Outdoor terraces, courtyards, and landscaped elements create a seamless connection between the home and the environment, enhancing the living experience while respecting the site’s topography and the house’s historical context.

In this renovation, the integration of custom millwork in burl and red elm provides a striking contrast to the crisp, white stucco backdrop, infusing the home with rich texture and warmth. These materials, selected for their natural beauty and tactile appeal, offer an organic counterpoint to the minimalism of the architecture while reinforcing the overall sense of craftsmanship and attention to detail.

The burl wood, with its unique grain patterns, introduces a sense of depth and movement, creating focal points within the interior spaces. Its swirling textures add an element of unpredictability and artistry, making each piece of millwork a one-of-a-kind element. The red elm, with its warm, reddish tones, introduces a soft richness that complements the cool white stucco and enhances the connection between the interior and the outdoor landscape.

The living room showcases a classic Ligne Roset Prado Sofa with it’s textured Gris fabric, this compliments the pair of vintage Ruud Jan Kokke Arm Chairs, and vintage brass sconce lights which punctuate the classic Spanish fireplace.

The custom cabinetry, built-ins, and furniture pieces are designed to complement the stepped, terraced layout of the home, flowing seamlessly between spaces while acting as sculptural elements that elevate the overall design. The millwork is strategically placed to not only provide functional storage and surface areas but to also create visual interest and tactile pleasure, inviting interaction with its textures.

Together, the combination of burl and red elm brings a heightened sense of warmth and refinement to the home, grounding the modernist interventions within a natural, earthy context. The materials’ rich, varied grain patterns draw the eye, while their warm tones create a sense of intimacy and comfort, balancing the airy, expansive quality of the home’s light-filled spaces.

These textures, juxtaposed against the simplicity of the white stucco walls, cultivate an atmosphere that is both sophisticated and inviting, enhancing the overall experience of the house as a living, breathing environment.

This renovation is a celebration of light, form, and perspective — a modern reinterpretation of Spanish and Mexican architectural traditions that enhances the character of the original house while elevating its spatial and aesthetic potential.