I’m going to be addressing our first project for Garret & Garage, a hands-on study in early 20th century movements, including modernism and early cottage living in Los Angeles by engaging the early 20th century idea of indoor/outdoor living. Schindler tried outdoor/indoor living in a similar scaled project, his own Schindler House. Of course he quickly realized that Los Angeles night weather isn’t as perfectly temperate as everyone imagines.
This design project was a cottage in Windsor Square built in 1942 by renowned LA architect—Paul Revere Williams. Windsor Square, rich in history is situated near Larchmont Village; a small tucked away community in Los Angeles. The project was a labor of love, with the constant question — “would Paul R. Williams enjoy this”? Remaining true to the original blueprint was at the forefront of all of our changes; we looked at past architectural projects, not in an attempt to revive or imitate, but instead to re-interpret.
The story goes…the cottage was made for the spouse of a man going off to WW II. The wife instructed Paul Williams to create something cozy to while away the hours in her husband’s absence. Anyone who visits the property feels her request just by entering the front door.