Jessie Bornstein

Jan 2013

Through a series of discussions, the clients predilection for Spanish Colonial and Mediterranean styles slowly transformed into a greater appreciation of the abstract qualities inherent in all good architecture: light-filled space, dynamic order, refined simplicity and the beauty of natural materials. Rather than follow any particular historical style, it is these timeless qualities we sought to evoke in designing and building this house. The exterior of the house is expressive of both stability and dynamism. From afar, the house appears as a freestanding white pavilion set on a sloped, verdant site. Upon approach, the complexities of form-making and volumetric relationships start to become revealed. The house is essentially comprised of two wings with an open two-story circulation spine between. The North wing, which contains service areas, childrens suites and family room, is formed as a continuous linear bar; while the South wing, containing living, dining, kitchen and master suite, is formed as a series of four interlocking pavilions set at varying angles. The two wings, one linear and one zig-zagging, interface within the central circulation space, which in turn functions as gallery and playroom as well as stairwell and hallway, Clerestory windows bring an abundance of daylight into the house, while the roof overhang protects from excess sun. The result is a wonderfully light-filled space that remains cool year round. The Nessims house was constructed in 1991 and is particularly special to Jesse as it was the last project he constructed with his father, Harry Bornstein. Over the years since, the clients have engaged Jesse and fellow consultants with a number of interventions - including the addition of a swimming pool, hardscape with fire bowl, and most recently an extensive overhaul of interior and exterior finishes. Happily, with each intervening project inside and out, the essence of the house has only been enhanced

Los Angeles, CA

Jan 2008

This architect driven 5-unit townhouse development occupies a typical infill site within the City of Santa Monica's semi-urban grid. Its modern design, with integrated green technologies and materals, is a significant departure from the traditionally based neighborhood context. With its serial pattern and clean dipartite formal composition capped with semi-transparent bi-facial photovoltaic solar canopies that provide shade for roof decks as well as over 3000kwh electricity generation per year for each unit, these townhomes are designed to incite excitement and a sense of optimism for a sustainable future. Among the projects many other sustainable technologies and materials are minimalist, double-sided, ethanol-fueled fireplaces set in custom FSC-certified bamboo casework. These central hearths for the 21st Century generate a cool ambiance while effectively warming each units entire two-story primary volume.

Los Angeles, CA

Jan 2007

The Panorama House, situated on a sloping hillside in Ocean Park, maximizes panoramic city views with a series of horizontal floor, deck and roof planes that step up the site. Counter-posing these outward looking or extroverted spaces, are shed roof forms that parallel the sites slope and provide a spatial experience of containment or introversion. Center-stringer stairs bridge across exterior landscaping and run through the house connecting split-level floor and deck planes. Sliding panels, of clear glass along the exterior and translucent glass within the house, moderate these connections. When panels are open, sliding into pockets in walls, the house is completely open to itself and to the outdoor. Passive and active solar systems are integral to the house. The shed roofs provide optimal orientation for both photovoltaic and solar water panels. Decks in turn provide broad overhanging eaves along south, east and west exposures. Hydronic floor heating and natural ventilation further support the sustainability of the house. A systemic logic in the application of finish materials and detailing reinforce the design concepts of the house to create a unified living environment out of a complex set of parts.

Los Angeles, CA

Jan 2007

This project, the Anderson Residence, is a substantial addition and renovation of an existing dark compartmentalized non-descript 40s era house that is sited directly adjacent to the Santa Monica Airport. With a tight budget to work with, the project directive was to get as much bang for the buck as possible. The programmatic solution for our clients, an enterprising couple with two young children, consists of the existing garage and Jack and Jill childrens suite, a new ground floor Guest Bedroom Suite, open plan Living/Dining/Kitchen/Family Room, an upstairs Master Suite and workspace Loft that is open to the stairwell volume. A beautiful existing mature Chinese Elm tree is preserved and incorporated into the design, its branches interwoven with the Entry trellis and upper roof eaves. Windows are strategically placed to capture views of this tree as well as another specimen tree located in the rear of the site. Broad overhangs control direct sunlight while clerestory windows and corner glazing bring in an abundance of natural daylight to the interiors. Daylighting is supplemented with an LED lit runway soffit that runs the length of the house. Mechanical ducts run through this soffit as well. The uplifted eaves of the butterfly roof and expanses of glass throughout the house celebrate the surrounding landscape, the sky and the planes taking off from the adjacent airport.

Los Angeles, CA

Jan 2005

With the desire for an open and airy outdoor/indoor living space and a budget conscious approach, the client and architect determined that the most cost effective way to achieve this was by building up and out from the footprint of the original house. The existing virtually square footprint was extruded to form the main body of a new two-story house, with non-orthogonal appendage forms (functioning as sitting areas, bay windows, decks, entry and stairs) projecting off of it. These appendages are clad in metal siding while the core of the house is plaster-finished. A double-height atrium with adjunct living areas emanating from it was designed as both a light well and the central living core. A subtly pitched roof with broad eaves, floating above a band of clerestory windows, fills the atrium with daylight. Two built-in artifacts of construction, a structural steel x brace and the fireplace from the original house, are intended as additions to the clients broad ranging art collection. A 360 degree view roof deck is accessed by exterior stairs that feature prominently in the form-making expression of the house. With the completion of concrete hardscape elements and front yard landscaping, the project now awaits Phase II: a new accessory garage/studio/office and landscaped rear yard with pool.

Los Angeles, CA

Jan 2003

This site-specific infill project is set on a hillside property surrounded by multi- and single-family buildings of varying scale and character. On a site zoned for multi-family yet partially occupied by an existing single-family house, the project establishes a hybrid type; legally a two-unit condominium, formally two overlapping houses. The multi-tiered design of the new rear house is tailored to a specific hillside zoning codes maximum theoretical grade which runs with the sloped grade. The floor and deck planes of the rear house step up the sloped site providing city and mountain views from multiple levels. Walls and fenestration subtly shift in reference to the non-orthogonal site to maintain privacy and control views between neighboring structures. By incorporating the existing 10-foot tall retaining wall into the split-level system of the house the project stitches the site together and fully utilizes the previously inaccessible rear third of the site. The Tree House is constructed around the mature Chinese Elm tree. Each level of the house offers different experiences of the tree; the trunk rising from the Entry Courtyard, the ascending branch structure as one climbs through the Stairwell, the canopy of branches over the Studio Balcony, the uppermost leaves dappling sunlight into the Loft. Walls, roof planes, beams, railing and fascia run continuously through glazed openings, visually connecting interior and exterior. Architectural elements of wood, stone and metal further tie the house to nature and imbue the interiors with a sense of calm.

Los Angeles, CA