Bittoni Architects is an architectural practice that is driven by ideas and the versatility to endeavour in a wide array of works. Located in Los Angeles, California the firm has dived deep into the opportunistic way of design. Since its founding in 2005, Bittoni architects has been a thriving architectural practice that now has projected presence in three different continents including residential and commercial projects. The ideology is to offer an enhanced experience that is catered to by a strong emphasis on research and analysis and an investigation of context and culture. The practice is predicated on the notion that architecture is both artistic and social endeavour’.
Following are the 15 projects by the firm:
1. Avocado Mattress
To match with the ethos of the eco-conscious brand, the project was designed to be a reflection of interrelationship to nature. The stark relationship between the neutral tones of wood and glass building with the incorporation of indoor greens translates the expression of the organic approach of the project that escalates the expression of the cause of the avocado mattress. The dialogue between the transparency and light is the highlight of the store as it portrays the inclusive and welcoming nature which ensures comfort.
2. Mud Vitose
Mud Vitose is a beautiful union of two variations coming together seamlessly. The showroom is placed at the intersection of light and vibrancy. The space is an all-white aesthetic in which the display of products is highlighted starkly like a sudden pop of colour. The light and breezy appearance of the building elevates the focus on the porcelains and the furniture on display.
3. San Vicente
The interactive workspace! There it is. Bittoni Architects created an open workspace that actuates the work-space engagement between people. The 3000 square foot space offers a shared work environment that inspires collaborations and an interactive mode of working. The space is divided by the transparent walls that provides an unhindered visual connection yet giving acoustical privacy with the enclosure of a space.
4. Hollywood
Located in the geographical heart of Hollywood’s entertainment industry, it serves as a model of creative urban living. The building Hollywood franklin was originally constructed in 1928. The intervention with this building focused beyond the architecture. It extends to incorporate the branding ideas and the graphical expression. The building bridges the identity of the Hollywood franklin to the neighbourhood building an image of the important urban backdrop to the context of the geographical heart of Hollywood.
5. Design Matters
Design Matters is a flexible event space in the commercial context of the streets of LA. It is a new gallery space that is converted from an old storefront. The entrance is marked by a blank wall that is a screen to the gallery space as well as a signage exhibit for what is inside. The blank white wall is a beautiful contrast to the bustling context which separates the gallery from the street creating a poised contrast with the street front as an expression of quiet. Programmatically this wall becomes the main tangent for guiding the movement in the space as required for the double entries or divided entry and exit for the rotation inside the gallery.
6. Horizon
Located on a steep hill of Santa Monica mountains, this residence overlooks the beautiful views of Malibu. The site is a pot full of potential for the building that enhances the views of the majestic city right in front. The two-storey building is actually split into three levels. The wooden slats lead to the entrance which is in the middle of the house. It is the main connection to the upper and lower level of the house that consists of separated living areas and private areas such as bedrooms. The open floor plan of the lower level makes the circulation and connections interactive and transparent.
7. Orlando
The residence located on a bustling corner requires a hierarchical relationship of movement from public to private spaces in the house. This residence is an L shaped volume that portrays a facade with mainly solid expression of two volumes of stucco walls connected by reclaimed stairs. The shape of the building is the solid enclosure to the more porous and open yet private spaces which is the courtyard and the pool.
8. Wynola
The Wynola residence is located very close to the pacific oceans in the palisades of Los Angeles. The location of the site triggers the contextual effect on the design. The built form is an interesting marriage of vernacular barn architecture and modern aesthetics. The Patio is the main connection that physically connects almost every area of the house and visually connects different spaces to one another through the large openings.
9. Glenbarr
The glenbarr residence is a collection of programs that are put together as volumes. It is perceived as an individual space for individual programs. The spaces are spread across the property and are connected to one another promptly. Each program is drawn as an individual volume. The house stands solid from the external facade but is very bright with daylight entering it throughout the day.
10. Sunset Park
The site was a home to a tract from the 1960s. The project was built on the existing footprint with minimal changes in interior partitions and the addition of a wooden cube at the rear. The contrasting expression of the project was to be modestly present itself on the exterior and be a poetry of spacious and minimal interiors. The added volume is finished with the cedar sidings for standing out. This cube is an addition to the existing footprint and houses the master bedroom.
11. HED house
The HED house is mainly the remodel of an existing house. To make the house more layered and compact, It was built vertically instead of increasing the footprint. The built mass is divided for the spatial configuration in a way that it allows the living and gathering spaces to have double or higher heights. Hence these spaces are grouped and put together. The symphony of natural light brought in by the series of skylights makes the house interact with the play of light and shadow.
12. Crestwood
Crestwood house is located on a higher plane than the city giving it an advantage of the contours. It is a remodel of the mid-century house. The project is a highlight of contemporary aesthetics merged into the modern architecture of the mid-century. The project thoroughly explores the idea of indoor/outdoor living which is a typical of Southern California. The atmospheric connection is established in detail that was offered by the altitude of the site.
13. Bay street
The bay street remodelling of a beach bungalow was performed on a bungalow that was built in 1913 and relocated later in 1920. The street presence of the bungalow is preserved inherently to remain in its original expression maintaining the street presence. The interiors though is changed to accommodate the contemporary needs and aesthetics along with the comfort.
14. Common Melrose
Common Melrose is a project that portrays a union of two different volumes that can be read as one. It is a project with two duplexes on two plots that read as one as the larger gesture. The interesting location of the site provided the opportunity for this project to be in harmonious contrast with the vibrancy of the context. The built masses are placed carefully at a juxtaposition of a private family space and larger commercial use
15. B1 house
The most interesting aspect of the project is the 40 feet drop from the front to the back of the building. This gave the opportunity to have a three-storey building with a basement that is accessible from the outside. The interconnection of the Garage and the outdoor spaces to the indoor spaces is a definition of the hierarchical layers of a house.
