Designed by Dimster Architecture, Santa Monica Modern is an exquisite single-family residence perched on a hill with sweeping views of Santa Monica Bay. Featuring custom All Weather aluminum windows and doors, this remarkable project received a 2024 AIA Los Angeles Residential Architecture Award for its excellence in design, creative execution, and transformative impact on urban landscapes.

Ready to be inspired? Let’s take a closer look at this innovative project!

Project Details

Architect: Dimster Architecture, LLC

Location: Santa Monica, CA

Project Year: 2024

Size: 3,550 sq. ft.

Interior Design Consulting: Lillian Lim

Builder: Arbor Construction

Dealer: Sepulveda Windows and Doors

Windows: All Weather Series 6000

Doors: All Weather Series 7000 and Series 8100

Photography: Dimster Architecture

The Santa Monica Modern is a 3 bedroom, 5 bath, 3,550 sq. ft. residence situated on a 7,200 sq. ft. corner lot. Its design stands out for its meticulous attention to detail and elegant curvature. An L-shaped layout enhances privacy from the street while opening the interior to the garden and afternoon sunlight, promoting a smooth transition between the indoors and outdoors. The building’s mass is split between two distinct structures, each thoughtfully articulated and accentuated by curved carvings to add a dynamic flow to the design.

The sunken living room features 10-foot-tall All Weather Series 8100 multi-slide doors in both stacking and pocketing configurations on two sides, creating a pavilion-like atmosphere. These doors enhance passive cooling and connect directly to the yard and pool. The open layout, which integrates the kitchen, dining room, and den, offers versatile spaces for entertaining, relaxation, work, and hobbies, with the potential to adapt for future multi-generational living.

A simple stair, tucked behind an open screen, leads to the second floor. The master suite stretches across the full width of the building, offering a spacious retreat, while the other bedrooms enjoy unique treetop views and abundant natural light thanks to the All Weather Series 6000 operable and fixed windows.

The home has two main entry points, each providing a distinct experience. The first, a more formal front entrance, is accessed through a charming garden filled with native plants and features an All Weather Series 7000 swing door. The second entry is a casual side gate that leads between the two buildings beneath a trellised canopy that seamlessly blends the indoor space with the outdoor landscape. This route offers direct access to the kitchen, backyard, and pool.

The home’s interior features a cohesive and calming palette of materials and textures, with natural wood siding and a beige concrete block wall adding an unexpected yet striking element that perfectly complements the overall design concept.