Maximizing a Bright Black Box in Echo Park

Built from the ground up in the neighborhood of Echo Park, in Los Angeles, the 1,560-square-foot home of consultant Melanie Ryan and architect Todd Sussman, cofounders of design studio Open for Humans, is a work of love and dedication. Though it felt like a big challenge, building a house from a design to its full form, the final product has become both their personal refuge and workspace.

“Once we began our search for land, we decided on two must-haves,” Todd says: anti-isolation and views.

“As the home is situated on an active corner lot, the goal from there was to privatize the street-facing sides of the living spaces and open up the remaining areas to the exterior, focusing views toward either landscaping or vistas,” says Todd.

The exterior features raw textures, immediately giving a strong character to the property. “We’ve always been drawn to black and were able to strike a balance utilizing a shou sugi ban finish applied to reclaimed redwood along with concrete, plaster, and steel,” Todd describes. “We also added accents of cedar to the façade to provide some warmth to the otherwise cool palette.”

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Aptly nicknamed the “Jungle Gym House,” the project features a lot of vegetation both inside and outside, with vines dripping down from the second floor. Taking advantage of the western views, the upper level is dedicated to the primary bedroom with its primary bath and walk-in closet; a study loft; a guest bedroom with its bath and closet; and the laundry room. The roof deck provides 360 degrees of an unobstructed panorama of the downtown L.A. skyline, Hollywood sign, and the San Gabriel Mountains. The exterior shou sugi ban reclaimed wood is by TerraMai.

Inspired by hospitality projects they either worked on or traveled to—including Bali; various spots in Yucatan, Mexico; Milan; and Coconut Grove in Miami—the couple wanted to bring the outside atmosphere in, something they achieved with the skylights and large windows. “It feels like living in a James Turrell sculpture sometimes,” Melanie says.