Case Study 2.0
Location
Los Angeles, California, US
Client
Private
Typology
Residential
Status
Schematic Design
Size
2,000 / 3,000 Sq. Ft.
Architects
M-Rad Inc.
Design Team: Matthew Rosenberg; James Hughes, AIA, LEED GA, NCARB; Roberto Ortiz de Landazuri; Etienne Serveau
collaborators
Solhaus is a contemporary single-family residence located in the Pacific Palisades, designed for a narrow 40-foot-wide urban lot. Conceived as part of the Case Study 2.0 program, the project explores resilient and sustainable housing strategies tailored to the evolving environmental and urban conditions of Los Angeles.
The architectural concept is driven by linear organization, using the elongated proportions of the site to create a clear spatial sequence from street to garden. This approach allows the house to unfold gradually, reinforcing openness, daylight penetration, and visual continuity across the full length of the property.
Public living spaces are arranged on the ground level and open directly to an outdoor deck, landscaped yard, and lap pool. This indoor-outdoor relationship reflects both Southern California’s residential tradition and the Case Study 2.0 program’s emphasis on livability, efficiency, and compact urban footprints.
Material and structural strategies support the project’s focus on resilience and longevity. Fire-resistant assemblies, high-performance glazing, passive shading, and efficient building systems are integrated into a restrained architectural language defined by white stucco, vertical slats, and warm interior finishes.
As a prototype within the Case Study 2.0 initiative, Solhaus demonstrates how thoughtful design can address climate risk, sustainability, and quality of life simultaneously. The project presents a forward-looking model for contemporary urban housing that balances performance, clarity, and architectural restraint.
In addition, Solhaus is conceived as a flexible framework rather than a fixed solution, allowing material selections, façade treatments, and systems to adapt to different site conditions and client needs. This adaptability aligns with the Case Study 2.0 program’s broader ambition to create replicable, high-performance housing models that can evolve over time while maintaining architectural integrity and environmental responsibility.