Whipple russell architects

Perched high above the Arizona desert, Paradise Valley transforms its steep hillside site into a bold architectural composition that follows the contours of the landscape, and opens its multi-layered design towards the valley below. A modern courtyard at the entrance with seating and a water vapor feature provides an atmospheric transition from the street to the private spaces. More than somewhere to quickly pass through, this open air gathering space invites a moment of pause before entering and exiting the property.   Once inside, the 7,300-square-foot design opens up into a dramatic living space with sweeping views across the desert. Anchored by a double-height stone fireplace, the great room is the heart of the home, connecting t... More

Nestled in Reno, Nevada's high desert environment, 16 Glenhaven is a modern home that blends architecture, landscape, and resort style living in a custom design that lives like a private retreat, set apart from the pace of everyday life. Upon approach to the property, a sweeping driveway reveals the home, and a modern front yard pool terrace. Rather than hiding this recreation space behind the house, it's instead given a prominent place in both the arrival sequence, and the flow of everyday life. From the motor court, broad steps climb to the entrance, where expansive glazing and strong horizontal rooflines create a luxury modern aesthetic. Spanning more than 12,000 square feet*, the home is designed for both intimate family living, and l... More

From a distance, Royal Palm reads as layered planes of stone, wood, water, and glass stepping down a mountainside in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Its modern design extends in a series of horizontal volumes towards the valley below, opening to an infinity-edge swimming pool, and outdoor living spaces for entertaining and resort-style living. At the heart of the design is a light-filled main floor where the kitchen, dining room, living room, bar and wine display share one open plan. A skylight brings natural light down and through this open volume, and then past a glass floor walkway into the lower level below, while floor-to-ceiling sliding glass walls connect the main living areas to the outdoors. A luxury infinity pool with waterfall edge, B... More

Some homes are defined by a single dramatic gesture, Pasadena is defined by the richness of everyday life. Set within a secluded hillside estate in Los Angeles, California, the custom home feels both generous in size, and easy to live in, with spaces for everything from quiet family evenings, to hosting on a grand scale. A minimalist modern exterior gives way to an expansive interior shaped by natural light, extensive glazing, and open living spaces. Responding to fire department access requirements, the main and upper levels are organized as two separate wings that remain connected on the lower level. Between them, the central pool terrace becomes a focal point for everyday living, with the kitchen, living, and dining areas opening toward... More

Set within the coastal landscape of Biarritz, France, this modern resort-style home features a layered composition of glass and stone around a front yard swimming pool at the heart of its outdoor spaces.  Arrival unfolds vertically, with a covered passageway and stairs leading to the main living level. Landing on an expansive terrace at the door of a light-filled interior, the design immediately establishes an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living.  The upper level is the center of daily life. On one end sits the primary suite with private terrace, spacious dressing room, and generous bath, and on the other, a kitchen, dining area, and living room, all flowing together in one open-plan design. Extending onto the outdoor terrace, ope... More

With its modern glass wall design, moat-style swimming pool that wraps around the entire backyard, and outdoor living spaces that extend all the way from the lowest floor to the rooftop, Royal Oak offers a luxury interpretation of contemporary Hollywood Hills living. From the motor court, the entryway passes a glass-walled display garage, before climbing floating stairs over reflecting pools and fire features to an elevated front door. Here, a light-filled gallery draws arrival deeper inside. The open plan main floor is composed of a series of everyday living and entertaining spaces. Family, dining, kitchen, and gathering areas all flow from one to the next, while open volumes and transparent floor elements allow views to pass throughout... More

Designed for the contemporary Brentwood lifestyle, Bonhill brings together open plan living, abundant natural light, and a central outdoor pool terrace at the heart of its design.  From the street, a visually textured exterior of stacked stone, warm wood, and expansive glass beneath deep roof overhangs lends the home a sense of sheltered privacy, while it remains remarkably open.  Inside, the design is exceptionally cohesive. A library, living room, dining room, bar, and kitchen all unfold within a series of interconnected spaces, while a concealed workspace, walk-in pantry, and private guest suite are incorporated into the surrounding plan.  A sculptural wine wall and strategically placed light well add visual interest an... More

Set within a quiet Hollywood Hills setting, Rising Glen is conceived around an unusual arrival, where the resort-style pool terrace becomes the first expression of the home’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle. The main floor is set within an open plan, with a family room, dining area, and kitchen extending onto outdoor living spaces, both front and rear. The pool terrace brings together a 52-foot swimming pool with spa, sunken fire-side conversation pit, ponds, sculpture, and areas for lounging, dining, and barbecuing, while the backyard opens onto a quieter garden with a lawn, mature trees, and water feature. The upper floor houses private accommodations and rooms for wellness, work, and relaxation. On one end sits the primary suite with a... More

Set within a quiet residential neighborhood in Encino, Los Angeles, High Valley is a modern courtyard residence organized around a single, expansive outdoor living space, and the result is a luxury home that balances openness, privacy, and contemporary California living. From the street, the architecture presents a quiet composition of floating horizontal roof lines, warm wood cladding, textured stone, and expansive glass. A generous motor court leads to an entrance framed by reflecting pools and fire features, establishing a calm arrival, before the home opens up to the spaces beyond.  At the heart of the design, the living room, dining room, family room, kitchen, and bar are arranged around a central courtyard, anchored by a modern... More

Designed for a constrained Hollywood Hills site, Hedges transforms a compact footprint into a modern home where architecture and outdoor living unfold across multiple levels. The home’s minimalist exterior reveals only glimpses of the light filled interior beyond, but once inside, the home opens up into a spacious light filled foyer with double height glass walls, a floating staircase, and glass floor detail that adds a sense of interconnectedness between the different levels. Organized in an open plan design, the living room, kitchen, and dining area open directly onto an outdoor terrace that’s the social heart of the home. With casual seating, a fire pit feature, barbecue, and infinity-edge swimming pool, this outdoor area a... More