Jai House by Lorcan O’Herlihy

O’Herlihy is known for his never-say-die attitude toward building on precipitous, even dangerous hillside plots and on hemmed-in slices of earth like his the vertical house. Lorcan is the master of getting it done, getting things accomplished against all odds, all obstacles.


Jai House sits on a gently sloping site overlooking the Santa Monica Mountains. It is a study of the interaction between building and landscape and celebrates architecture through removal, stripping away visual and spatial excess, revealing an authenticity of construction and craft. The building is designed to blur the boundary between landscape and structure, with, for example, the pool and deck acting as an extension of the living room.


Inside, more boundaries blur. Living, dining, and den areas merge with the kitchen, where a stainless-steel counter acts as a quiet piece of furniture. And upstairs, a sybaritic bath, with no partitions around the tub, becomes one with the sensual master bedroom, where floor-to-ceiling windows—an off-the-shelf storefront—offer expansive views of the landscape.

The narrowness and canny placement of the windows on all four sides give the three-story space a profound sense of openness without the sacrifice of privacy. You’re sheltered but also connected to the world.

Link Via [Loharchitects]

Share it: Del.icio.us   Facebook   Twitter   Digg   StumbleUpon   E-mail
Comments: 3   
January 31, 2008 - Architecture, Latest    
Author: Hans

3 Responses to “Jai House by Lorcan O’Herlihy”

  1. CubeMe » Blog Archive » Skyline Residence by Belzberg Architects Says:

    [...] Fantastic house reminds me a lot to Jai House by Lorcan O’Herlihy that we post one week ago. Skyline residence was designed by Belzberg Architects on a piece of land [...]

  2. Vertical House by Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects | archiwork.net Says:

    [...] Most simply, one idea coupled with and realized through materiality defines the architecture of this residence. The impact is both powerful and artistic. [via] [...]

  3. Pavia Says:

    Not too many copy writers could make this fabric intriguing, however, you handled that. My spouse and i loved reading through your thinking and concepts. I agree using much of what you have written below.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Design lamp Kitchen Exhibition photography Photo Interior Fashion Travel Project Prefab Music Gizmo Residence Technology Sculpture Hotel Chair Mobility Table Video Lighting house Seating Green Gadgets Latest Art Furniture Architecture



Add to Google