Mountain Residence

Typology Residential

Location Los Angeles, California

Completed 2026

Size 7,500 SF

Perched on a 17-acre ridge in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Mountain Residence is a striking conversion of a 1980s octagonal house by SPF:architects co-founders Zoltan Pali and Judit Fekete-Pali. Designed as their personal home and studio, the residence is fully clad in a protective black, fire-resistant shingle envelope that integrates fire-defensive engineering with updated, modern living.

Octagon Control

To preserve valuable property entitlements, the design retains the distinct oblong octagonal footprint of the original 1980s home rather than rebuilding from scratch.

The existing structure was completely stripped down to its bare frame, then retrofitted with heavy shear walls and moment frames to repair structural defects and water damage. All original stucco ornamentation, including faux foam columns, capitals, and friezes, was discarded in favor of clean, angular lines that accentuate the home's true geometry .

Reclaimed Spaces

The interior was radically reorganized by removing choppy room divisions, narrow corridors, and three redundant fireplaces to create an expansive, light-filled flow. Primary living and social zones anchor the main level, lined with large glass openings that look out onto the surrounding landscape.

The upper story accommodates the primary suite alongside a fully equipped architectural studio designed for up to 20 staff members. Rich Douglas fir wood finishes warm the spaces, offering an inviting contrast to the dark, monolithic exterior.

Raise your Shield!

A brush fire near the site during purchase made extreme fire resilience the core focus of the project. A dark, Class A fire-rated asphalt shingle skin wraps seamlessly over the roof and walls, backed by a foot-thick envelope of rigid insulation, gypsum sheathing, and vapor barriers. The 17-acre property completes its defense with dedicated water tanks, exterior sprinklers, backup power, and strategic brush clearance.