Introduction

Nestled beneath Los Angeles’ iconic Griffith Observatory, the 1965 Moore House by Craig Ellwood is a masterclass in California modernism. Recently restored by Woods + Dangaran, the 1,700-square-foot home reflects both a reverence for architectural legacy and a thoughtful vision for 21st-century living. This case study explores the architectural significance of Ellwood’s original work, the meticulous methodology behind its restoration, and lessons architects can glean from its sensitive adaptation.

Architectural Significance and Original Design

Craig Ellwood, an influential figure in postwar Southern California architecture, was celebrated for his rigorous formalism rooted in the International Style and infused with the warmth of West Coast culture. The Moore House is a distinct representation of his design ethos, characterized by elemental geometry, material clarity, and environmental responsiveness.

The residence’s rectilinear form and post-and-beam construction appoint it firmly within the modernist tradition pioneered by Ellwood and his contemporaries. The structure articulates its tectonics with honesty—exposed beams, structural columns, and infill glazing showcasing not just aesthetics but also the logic of assembly.

A linear floor plan anchors the layout, organizing two double bedrooms at opposing ends. Between them, the communal kitchen, dining, and living areas unfurl within an open plan configuration, reinforced by a double-aspect orientation that grants openness front to back. Large single-pane windows — originally of low thermal performance — formed visual corridors across the interior, linking indoor and outdoor spaces.

Situated on a hillside lot crowned by mature olive trees, the house commands expansive vistas stretching from the Los Angeles basin to the Pacific Ocean on clear days. This natural setting becomes integral to the living experience, underscoring the modernist emphasis on seamless landscape integration.

Restoration Methodology and Structural Interventions

By the time Woods + Dangaran acquired the project in 2018, the Moore House had endured decades of poor maintenance and unsympathetic alterations. The team approached the restoration as both a stewardship responsibility and a creative architectural endeavor, aiming to retain as much original fabric as feasible while addressing functional deficiencies.

Envelope Restoration

One of the primary interventions involved replacing the deteriorated single-paned glazing systems with high-performance, energy-efficient units that replicated the original proportions, sightlines, and operability. This approach maintained the home’s iconic glass-box aesthetic while vastly improving thermal performance — a prime example of performative conservation in mid-century modernist restorations.

Material Rehabilitation

The weather-worn redwood cladding, historically significant and central to the facade’s expression, had been stained anachronistically purple in past decades. Woods + Dangaran removed these surfaces, sourcing new redwood boards, and applied treatments that restored the material’s natural tonal quality while extending longevity through modern finishing techniques. The expressive nature of redwood — its grain and warm hue — re-establishes the material connection inherent in Ellwood’s architectural palette.

Contemporary Adaptations and Building Systems Integration

Beyond preservation, Woods + Dangaran engineered thoughtful updates that respected the home’s architectural DNA while improving its livability in a contemporary context.

HVAC and Systems Concealment

Legacy HVAC systems, previously exposed and visually disruptive, were relocated and concealed using bespoke teak grilles and recessed installations. These solutions restored clean ceiling and wall lines, preserving the minimalist aesthetic while integrating 21st-century performance.

Interior Reconfigurations

Recognizing the spatial constraints of the 1,700-square-foot footprint, the team pursued strategic reconfigurations rather than full-scale remodeling. The kitchen retained its galley layout, but key functional elements such as the cooktop were repositioned to enhance usability and circulation. Similarly, the primary bathroom was reimagined through entrance relocation and wall modifications, increasing privacy and introducing natural light through transom-style apertures.

Technology Integration

Lighting and alarm systems were seamlessly embedded into architecture. Light fixtures were recessed and designed to visually disappear within the ceiling planes, while sensors were camouflaged to preserve architectural purity. These moves exemplify how smart home technology can be sympathetically incorporated into historic fabric.

Landscape Integration and Pool Design

The relationship between the house and landscape was a critical component of the original design—one that Woods + Dangaran both protected and expanded upon. The integration of a 60-foot lap pool exemplifies a contemporary addition conducted with surgical precision.

Installed along the front entrance, the pool mirrors the home’s linear proportion, aligning perfectly with the architectural grid and acting as a horizontal extension of the residence’s tectonic geometry. Instead of distracting from the original structure, the pool reinforces its compositional logic while offering a new experiential layer.

Equally significant was the preservation of an original koi pond, which had become a defining landscape element over time. So vital was its inclusion that maintaining it became a contractual stipulation in escrow. A modern teak-clad bridge now spans the pond, offering a ceremonial sequence of entry that both recalls and reinterprets the mid-century affinity for traversing nature.

Material Palette and Interior Design Integration

The interior design hinges on a historically grounded yet thoroughly contemporary material palette. Woods + Dangaran selected finishes that paralleled the tactile richness and muted sophistication of Ellwood’s originals: earth-toned ceramic tile, ribbed glass panels, brass hardware, dark marble veined in gold, black granite, and reclaimed Burmese teak.

This ensemble lends the project both warmth and gravitas—qualities sometimes absent in mid-century minimalism. The nuanced textures and subtle color shifts emulate California modernist strategies of using material expression over ornamental embellishment.

The furnishings occupy a complementary posture: custom-designed contemporary pieces mingle with authentic mid-century items, producing a layered atmosphere that acknowledges the past without freezing the home in time. This curatorial approach reinforces continuity while allowing space for evolution.

Preservation Ethos and Architectural Relevance Today

At its core, the Moore House restoration is not only a design achievement but also a philosophical position about how to engage with architectural heritage. Rather than viewing preservation as museological replication or sterile conservation, Woods + Dangaran engaged in what might be called design-forward stewardship.

Every intervention was vetted through the lens of Ellwood’s original intentions. By continually asking, “What would Craig Ellwood have done today?”, the team grounded their design responses not merely in technical compliance, but in cultural resonance. This approach allowed for a restoration that enhances the home’s expressive clarity instead of diminishing it.

Such methodology sets a valuable precedent for architectural practitioners aiming to balance preservation and progress. It illustrates that with rigorous research, sensitivity to form and material, and interpretive insight, mid-century modern homes can remain both relevant and rigorously beautiful.

Takeaways for Architects, Builders, and Homeowners

• Respect the Grid: When working with modernist homes, especially those using post-and-beam construction, preserve the geometric discipline that underpins the design.
• Material Matters: Source historically appropriate materials and finishes, but don’t shy away from using modern versions for performance and longevity.
• Practice System Integration: Introduce mechanical, electrical, and technological systems through architectural detailing that aligns with the original aesthetic.
• Enhance Without Erasure: Subtle reconfigurations can dramatically improve function without compromising the historical narrative.
• Landscape as Architecture: Treat surrounding plantings, water features, and hardscape as extensions of the architectural plan.

For professionals and homeowners engaged in restoring or living within modernist homes, the Moore House offers a blueprint for excellence. It reminds us that old buildings can be future-ready while maintaining their soul—and that sometimes, the most powerful architectural decisions are those that preserve and extend an existing conversation.