THE ARCHITECTS
PHOTOGRAPHED BY JAMES MEYER
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JAMES R. MEYER
Lean Arch, Inc.
530 S. Spring Street in Los Angeles 213-744-9830 | [email protected] | leanarch.com
DESCRIBE YOUR FEATURED PROJECT.
This small, single-family residence located in downtown Manhattan Beach was designed as a prototype for sustainable urban living. Kuhlhaus 01 incorporates a dual moment frame design, which allows for large expanses of glass on all floors and a flexible, open floor plan. An “air curtain” along the east wall above the stair provides continuous air flow between the floors. This allows for passive heating and cooling throughout the year. The home is clad in corrugated aluminum panels, which are manufactured with recycled material and 100% recyclable. The wood used throughout is cumaru, an FSCcertified marine grade species of teak that is resistant to pests. A state-of-the-art domestic hot water system provides hot water for radiant heating, and photovoltaic panels generate enough electricity to power the home. Kuhlhaus 01 represents our notion of a true contemporary beach “cottage.”
has overseen the design and execution of residential, commercial and tenant improvement projects throughout the Los Angeles area. The firm has received several awards has been published extensively in the United States and internationally. Currently, Lean Arch is completing their first monograph, LEAN ARCH: Some Assembly Required, which describes the firm’s unique approach to the design/build process.
WHAT MAKES YOUR FIRM UNIQUE IN THIS INDUSTRY?
Our clients are special. They tend to be very engaged throughout the entire process. By nurturing this type of collaboration, we find that the process from beginning to end is filled with potential opportunities to genuinely improve upon the original design and enhance the quality of the overall project. The Lean Arch team is a passionate and energetic group of individuals who have continually demonstrated their ability to achieve the best outcome while managing the complexities of design, constructability, functionality, construction costs and timeframes. All projects regardless of size or scope are indicative of the design principles adhered to by the firm, especially those relating to context, scale and sustainable building concepts.
WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF LEAN ARCH?
Lean Arch, Inc. started as a small design studio in Manhattan Beach and has evolved into a Los Angeles-based, award-winning design/build practice with a global perspective. Over the past 12 years, Lean Arch
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