OWIU – the Los Angeles-based architecture firm co-founded by Singapore-natives Joel Wong and Amanda Gunawan – unveils a backyard for the Golding residence in Venice Beach, California that takes inspiration from traditional elements of Japanese living. Originally built in 1953, the home underwent an extensive remodel before it was purchased in 2021 by actor Henry Golding (of “Crazy Rich Asians” fame) and his wife, Liv Lo.
“This home marked the start of a new chapter for its residents as they welcomed Lyla, their new baby girl, to the world just one day after closing escrow,” Gunawan explained. A close friend of Henry and his wife, Gunawan considered their lifestyle and how it would evolve with their new daughter.
Intimacy was a key theme throughout. OWIU sought to maintain the backyard’s sense of seclusion by creating functional sections that simultaneously upheld the open concept. “We really wanted to create a home that felt like one complete space,” Golding explained. To achieve a feeling of openness, OWIU used the pre-existing geometry of the house to create lines that would demarcate the various spaces. From there, the firm constructed organic forms molded from the ground up to shape walls that taper back into the ground. The palette features natural materials to complement the organic forms and promote a sense of calm.
The backyard’s intervention encompasses a 530-square-foot raised Trex deck that connects each element of the space. With the help of intentional landscaping, the barbeque and fire pit area seamlessly connect to the Japanese onsen-inspired spa and jacuzzi area in a way that feels organic yet private.
The outdoor spa area, inspired by a traditional Japanese onsen, features a hot tub and shower for those looking to rinse off before and after soaking. A slated wooden structure, spanning over 18 feet, was designed to house the jacuzzi while offering space for bathers to walk comfortably within the enclosure. The structure not only creates privacy but also offers shade, casting shadows throughout the day and borrowing from the Japanese concept of komorebi, the sensation of the sun filtering through the trees. The terrace surrounding the jacuzzi is paved with stone, inviting guests to walk barefoot to the spa, thereby creating a ritualized transition into stillness and calm.
“We imagined the family enjoying many alfresco evenings, circling around the fire pit, lights off, with the flame being the only source of light,” explained Gunawan. Meant for entertaining, the grill area features a custom cast-in-place concrete form designed specifically to house the grill. The concrete extends in a curvilinear manner, signaling the fire pit zone. “I love cooking, and we really love hosting our friends for meals, so we wanted an outdoor space we could also entertain in,” said Golding. To accommodate ample seating, the architects added a wooden bench that wraps around the organically formed fire pit.
Continuity between the indoor and outdoor spaces was incredibly important to Amanda, as the home’s existing doors expand the kitchen and living area into the backyard. “We applied a part-to-whole strategy where multiple components come together to create a cohesive whole,” explains Gunawan. By using wood as the primary material, the built environment blends into its natural surrounding. Similarly, the use of sculpted, white stucco blends parts of the existing house into the outdoor space. “By blurring the hard edges and breaking down demarcations, we’ve created one cohesive space.”
Photography by Justin Chung.
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