The multi-tiered structure of the Slotbox House responds to the complexity of its 7,000SF sloping site in Ocean Park, a neighborhood in south Santa Monica. Leaving an existing two-bedroom bungalow-style cottage to face the street, kdA was tasked with designing a larger residence that not only addressed the sloping topography of the site, but also responded to the urban density challenge of orienting the home side-to-side as opposed to the traditional suburban street front-home-backyard  layout.

On the lowest level is parking for four cars (two spaces are required for the existing house), with an enclosed parking court. The living spaces, kitchen, and outdoor patio area are located directly above, barely concealed by transparent polycarbonate panels. The moveable panels control the amount of light brought into the space as well as the level of breeze through the entire floor.

The private areas and bedrooms are located on the upper level of the house, a floor that is almost entirely opaque. They are hidden behind birch plywood that wraps onto the ceiling of the living level, forming a box that floats above the rest of the site. The primary public rooms open to gardens on either side: to the west, a formal terrace outside the living room; to the east, a garden opens outside of the kitchen and dining room.