Our client, a world renowned coin collector and transplanted Texan, acquired a lovely large property in the distinguished neighborhood of Holmby Hills in Los Angeles. His passion for American history, and the coinage of the American Revolution led him to a fascination with Thomas Jefferson, and ultimately, to a keen appreciation of neoclassical architecture.
Early inspiration for the house was drawn from the Villa Saraceno and an early scheme for the Villa Thiene, by Andrea Palladio. The design employs a classic three-part composition, with intervening hyphens containing the stairs. The center entry pavilion features a giant Ionic order, and is rendered in cut and hand-carved cream limestone. The flanking pavilions are rendered in coursed limestone rubble masonry, with cut stone quoins and accents. The house features carved stone medallions evoking imagery drawn from American history, and the column capitals feature decorative floral embellishments depicting the state flowers of Texas and California, our client's homelands, past and future.