Designed in 1947 by native Los Angeles architect Gregory Ain, the 10-unit Avenel Cooperative Housing Project helped define Los Angeles as the center of the Modernist movement in American domestic architecture.  The project adapted the best features of a hillside commune, garden apartments, and suburban houses.  The whole was rendered in International Style modern architecture with radically flexible interiors.  Beyond Ain’s imaginative site planning, these truly “flexible houses” employ sliding partition walls  such that this unit with open living, dining and kitchen area, can be configured as a one, two, or three bedroom residence with 1 bath & private garden.   Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the ACH is a magnet for architecture buffs, but more importantly, it retains its modern appeal.   $745,000.   

Restoration Highlights:

Custom finished kitchen and linen cabinetry per original built-in plans
Ain’s original and revolutionary open-kitchen concept with floating table custom built and installed
Custom milled and finished 45-degree toe kicks/baseboards
Custom finished bedroom built-in closets, dressers, and desk per original built-in plans and footprints
Custom casement and fixed panes windows with screens; tempered, double paned glass
Wire-finish original fixed pane, tempered window installed in den/3rd bedroom
New custom sliding doors with double paned glass and built-in UV installed per original concept
3” x 3” matte Dal Tile used in shower and tub per original design details
Restored and re-plated original hardware: door pulls, mail slot, address box

Eco Design Details:

Double-paned, Low-E windows installed throughout
Sustainable Forbo Marmoleum floors installed throughout
Energy efficient appliances
Environmentally friendly stains and lacquers, and sustainable woods used on all custom cabinetry
Low VOC Benjamin Moore Aura paints used on all surfaces
Greenguard indoor air certified solar window shades
Xeriscape professional landscaping in front and back gardens
Kitchen and cutting garden zone with dedicated, drip irrigation controls
Service porch for clothesline and composter

Design Details:

Custom light trough installed in patio arbor creating seamless indoor-outdoor, nighttime living
Elkay Gourmet double sink installed
Elkay commercial quality kitchen faucet installed
Fisher & Paykel kitchen suite: five-burner gas range, bottom mount refrigerator/freezer, two drawer dishwasher
Custom designed built-in bathroom vanity
Modified bathroom layout for ease of use
Duravit bath fixtures
Zuma deep soaking tub
Kohler shower and tub fixtures
New laundry room with stackable washer and dryer, and utility sink
Media cabinet pre-wired with cable, data and phone
Sugatsune cabinetry hardware
Custom Formica kitchen and bath counters
All electrical upgraded with GFCIs and new switchplates
All rooms wired for cable and data
Updated copper plumbing

Landscaping Details:
Low-water cacti and succulent gardening
Low maintenance planting design
Original arbor concept installed in back garden patio
Hand-laid sandstone pavers in back garden
Mature Hass avocado tree
Kitchen and cutting garden-ready