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I earned my Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island. My passion for high-end residential architecture inspired my relocation to Southern California. After being given the amazing opportunity to work at McClean Design, I have been fortunate enough to contribute to the design and development of some of the most luxurious custom homes in the world.
PEOPLE
The house is flooded with natural light through the use of large operable walls and linear skylights. We worked with Lynda Murray Interior Design to create a palette of rich warm natural tones using different stones and wood ceilings to give the home a comfortable feel. The pool on the main level of the house cascades into a water feature below which wraps around a fire pit off the main entertaining space. A unique feature of the home is the skylights within the pool that allow daylight and views of swimmers to the pool below. Balboa Peninsula runs parallel to the Pacific coast, just south of Newport Beach, enclosing a sound that is alive with pleasure boats. That makes it a picturesque location for houses that back up to the marina, but most are generic structures squeezed onto narrow lots.
PROJECTS
A transparent entry bridge crosses over this water courtyard, leading to the living area in the direction of the rear outdoor infinity pool with views of Century City. The kitchen and family room open to the rear garden, while the dining room is contained in a glass area that bridges over the water courtyard. The triangular upper level pool has a shallow shelf that wraps around the master bedroom, creating a feeling that this part of the house is floating on water. A spa (gym and sauna) and fireplace are on the lower level, as are a bar and family lounge.
INTERIOR DESIGN MAGAZINE
The primary public day-to-day living spaces and bedrooms face away from the road, with only the formal spaces opposite the front water garden. This two-level Beverly Hills house is located on a 24,451-square-foot site in the Trousdale Estates area with a relatively small buildable area. Restrictive codes combined with the client’s aspirations for more program and facilities focused the use of a basement for the program and thus to look at different ways of transmitting light to the lower level. An entry courtyard is screened from the street and the garage is located on the lower level and reached by a ramp. The garage’s large window faces a sunken courtyard that contains a large rectangular water feature.
Through thoughtful design, I aspire to create spaces that inspire and resonate with people on a profound level, making a positive impact in their lives. Since we established McClean Design in 2000, I have been responsible for managing the office and keeping everybody on their toes! My passion though, is interior design and I enjoy working with private clients in addition to collaborating on projects within our office.
The feeling below provides a significant contrast to the main floor, with a series of bedrooms and entertainment spaces, wrapping around the landscaped courtyard. I grew up in the South Bay/Long Beach region of Southern California and attended Long Beach City College before transferring to university where my curiosity for the profession grew. My interest in architecture stems from wanting to know how a project evolves from concept to reality through the design process. While here at McClean Design,I am seeing the importance ofdesign and itseffecton an individual through materiality, light, and connection to the natural environment.
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The living area contains a unique bar area with an aquarium back drop and a clear glass floor to the wine cellar below. A home office next to the kitchen area enjoys a unique perspective, borrowing views across the living room and the courtyard, as well as opening to a small, landscaped patio. The remainder of the program for the upper level consists of two additional bedrooms, as well as support spaces. Since its founding in 2000, McClean Design has grown into one of the leading contemporary residential design firms in Southern California committed to excellence in modern design. We are currently working on a wide variety of projects across much of North America with additional projects overseas. We work with both homeowners and developers and our staff offers a full range of design skills ensuring that our projects are completed in a timely manner and to the highest standards.
Member of the American Institute of Architects and licensed architect in several states.
Get Involved, Weigh in on McLean's Design Guidelines News Center - Fairfax County Government NewsCenter
Get Involved, Weigh in on McLean's Design Guidelines News Center.
Posted: Mon, 24 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
For as long as I can remember I have been infatuated with the art of creation and building at all scales. My grandma loved to tell the story of how I would beg and beg for this toy or that and when it was not handed to me, I would just make my own. I was lucky to have been raised in a family of artists, designers and builders who cultivated my passion and gave me the tools necessary for a career in architecture. I apprenticed as a carpenter, ironworker, and glazier and during this time gained a great appreciation of how design materializes and truly fell in love with architecture. I went on to work for many of the best residential architects in Southern California, helping to design and manage hundreds of single and multi-family residential projects across the U.S. and abroad. In 2019, I was given the opportunity to join McClean Design and jumped at the chance.
This dual commitment deepened my appreciation for the interplay of design and construction, guiding me towards the path of architecture. This journey ultimately culminated in my graduation with honors from Newschool of Architecture and Design in San Diego. Today, I feel fortunate to be part of the visionary team at McClean Design, collaboratively driving the advancement of contemporary modern architecture. Beyond architecture, I enthusiastically pursue various passions – from the exhilaration of racing and the serenity of boating, to the challenge (and sometimes frustration) of golf. However, the moments I treasure most are those spent with my growing family and loved ones.
Paul McClean is a member of the American Institute of Architects and is a licensed architect in several States including California. I feel that we have been very fortunate these last few years and have managed to complete many new homes. I have always enjoyed working with different people and am constantly amazed by the different and varied backgrounds of our clients.
We make extensive use of glazing systems to maximize views and provide a warm light filled contemporary space. We strive for simplicity and an openness to the surrounding landscape that erodes the division between indoor and outdoor spaces; homes with an emphasis on texture and natural materials. We keep an open mind on questions of style preferring to strike a balance between the best solution for the site, our clients’ preferences, and what is potentially approvable for each particular site. The house is separated from the street by a series of stone walls with only a small break on axis with the entry bridge. Entry is though a metal gate and along a tall water wall over looking the central courtyard and leading to the glass bridge. Upon entering the living area looks directly out over the pool with the kitchen and dining family space to the left and the main bedroom wing to the right.
The landscape is fully integrated into the project with specimen trees and bushes connecting the various outdoor spaces. The approach from the street up a steep driveway leads to a generous drive court where a relaxed limestone stair continues the climb to the entry of the home. The main living and dining space opens completely on both sides, allowing for cross ventilation, and the sense of being outdoors, while still sheltered from the elements.
Growing up in the vibrant Vietnamese community of Little Saigon, I was immersed in a rich cultural tapestry that shaped my perspective on design. Prior to joining the team at McClean Design, I worked in various offices across Orange County and Los Angeles, assisting on the design of residential and mixed-use projects. As a graduate from Cal Poly Pomona, I earned my Bachelor of Architecture, laying the groundwork for my design skill. My passion for design is deeply rooted in the transformative power of architecture, particularly its placemaking ability to create meaningful places that resonate with people on a personal level. By continuously pushing the boundaries of design, I strive to craft spaces that not only inspire but also evoke a sense of wonder and belonging.
Open in concept and focused around the pool and garden area, the upper level blends seamlessly with its surroundings. On a complex multilevel lot overlooking the city of Beverly Hills, this project was designed to take advantage of the beautiful views of the city below, as well as the entire Los Angeles basin. The house is inspired by the rich history of modernism in California, in both its plan and material choices.
The richly finished media room opens directly to the center of the entertainment area. The remaining spaces consist of three additional bedrooms, a gym area, a service kitchen, and staff rooms. The bedrooms on the lower level all look out over a central landscaped courtyard, with a sliding glass wall that combines the outdoor garden with the family room in pleasant weather. The lower level includes a gym and wellness area in addition to the wine room with its glass ceiling to the bar area above. Since space is at such a premium parking for the property is accessed by a ramp and located below the rear garden and pool area. The sinuous walnut and limestone-clad staircase create an interesting focal point while revealing views of the backlit wine cellar on the descent to the lower level.
