Archello Awards 2026 · Enter your projects before 30 September 2026
Archello Awards 2026 · Enter your projects before 30 September 2026

The Franklin Wood House

The Franklin Wood House
Erik Stackpole Undehn

Brief & Context

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The Franklin Wood House is a contemporary, freestanding accessory dwelling unit (ADU) that replaces a former residential garage belonging to a 1921 single-family home. Situated within a Los Angeles neighborhood filled with unique, historic 1920s architecture, the new structure was designed to establish its own distinct architectural character while respecting the scale of its historic surroundings.

photo_credit Erik Stackpole Undehn
Erik Stackpole Undehn
photo_credit Erik Stackpole Undehn
Erik Stackpole Undehn
photo_credit Erik Stackpole Undehn
Erik Stackpole Undehn
photo_credit Erik Stackpole Undehn
Erik Stackpole Undehn

Spatial Experience & Design Layout
The ground floor is anchored by a spacious, open-concept kitchen and living area configured to flow seamlessly into the shared backyard, complemented by a discreet powder room at the entry. The second-floor hosts two bedrooms, each featuring private en-suite bathrooms. Architecturally, the primary bedroom is oriented to provide framed, unobstructed views toward the iconic Griffith Observatory and the surrounding Griffith Park hills.
Façade & Privacy Strategy
In response to the busy street front, the primary façade serves a dual purpose. It functions as a privacy shield for the residents while strategically filtering abundant natural light into both the upper bedroom and the ground-floor kitchen, turning a site constraint into a design feature.

photo_credit Erik Stackpole Undehn
Erik Stackpole Undehn
photo_credit Erik Stackpole Undehn
Erik Stackpole Undehn
photo_credit Erik Stackpole Undehn
Erik Stackpole Undehn
photo_credit Erik Stackpole Undehn
Erik Stackpole Undehn

Sustainability & Materials
Sustainability drives the home's material palette and infrastructure. Built with a sustainable wood frame, the exterior is clad entirely in Accoya—a high-performance, acetylated softwood. Left untreated by design, the timber façade will slowly weather over time into a beautiful silver-grey patina. Aligning with modern eco-conscious standards, the Franklin Wood House operates entirely on electric energy, completely eliminating the use of fossil fuels.

photo_credit bau10 architecture
bau10 architecture
photo_credit bau10 architecture
bau10 architecture
photo_credit bau10 architecture
bau10 architecture
photo_credit bau10 architecture
bau10 architecture
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