OWIU Design has breathed new life into a historic 1973 residence by American architect Ray Kappe, transforming the Glass Ridge House into a serene retreat that harmonises natural elements with thoughtful craftsmanship. Nestled in the secluded hills of La Cañada Flintridge, this reimagined sanctuary merges Japanese ryokan sensibilities with Western modernist principles, resulting in a space that feels both restorative and contemporary.
Led by co-founders Amanda Gunawan and Joel Wong, the renovation reflects OWIU’s distinctive design language—one that’s rooted in cultural nuance, travel, and architectural storytelling. Every detail serves a purpose, offering residents a space for reflection, stillness, and connection to the natural world.
Nature, Craft, and Quiet Intentionality
Water flows through the home as both a visual and auditory feature. A glass-enclosed built-in stream, a koi pond at the entry, and a redesigned pool that blends into the tree-filled landscape contribute to a feeling of organic calm. By integrating these elements seamlessly, OWIU elevates the home into more than just a living space—it becomes a sanctuary of stillness.
The studio also collaborated with Kuboki Tatami, a traditional workshop in Fukushima, to integrate tatami flooring in unexpected areas. A sunken pit living room, lined with tatami, offers both warmth and cultural depth, reflecting Asian traditions of floor-level living. Even the bed frame, wrapped in custom-treated black tatami, delivers tactile richness within the minimalist palette.
In the kitchen and dining areas, the team maintained a careful balance between form and function. While high ceilings and expansive glass windows flood the interiors with light, intimate elements—such as a dark redwood ceiling and blackened wood bar—introduce moments of grounding and texture.
Artisan Touches and Cultural Continuity
Material authenticity lies at the heart of the renovation. OWIU created an intimate tea bar, set apart from the kitchen and framed with textured marble. The space features custom ceramic tiles by Hashimoto Tomonari, a celebrated ceramic artist from Shigaraki, Japan. His tiles use natural materials like rice and millet, resulting in an earthy, marbled glaze that aligns with the home’s overall aesthetic.
Further enhancing the bespoke feel, many fixtures were custom-built by Inflexion Builds, ensuring architectural continuity across the redesigned space. Personal travel mementos and artisan-crafted décor infuse the home with lived-in warmth, making it feel curated yet deeply personal.
A Home that Honors Legacy and Looks Forward
Inspired by traditional Japanese ryokans, OWIU envisions the Glass Ridge House not just as a dwelling, but as an urban retreat—a place for mindfulness amid the busyness of Los Angeles. The project embodies a timeless fusion of legacy and innovation, demonstrating how heritage architecture can evolve without losing its soul.
Through its reverence for craft, culture, and context, OWIU’s transformation of the Glass Ridge House reflects a vision of contemporary living that is at once global and deeply rooted.