Carla Ridge, Beverly Hills, CA

The central open volume topped by a skylight is architect Marc Whipples modern take on the traditional courtyard. He took the courtyard, and sunk it so that all the belowgrade rooms open off of it, transforming what normally would be a dark basement into a lower floor with light and views the antibasement. The large skylight pulls the dramatic focus upwards as well, so this vertical volume contains both dynamics as you cross the glass bridge. Marc explains the design theory, Alignment of the space so