W
hoa! That was the first word uttered from a confidential international client’s mouth after first laying eyes on David Lopez’s
proposed design of a high-end custom luxury home in
CUTTING-EDGE CONTEMPORARY DESIGN
the Hollywood Hills. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. True, yet architects know they hit the bull’s eye designing a dream home when only a few powerful words of joy flow from a client’s mouth after seeing an architectural rendering. Equally impressive is the fact that Partner David Lopez, B. Arch, of Lopez Architects, immediately responded
LOPEZ ARCHITECTS
to this client’s short notice end-of-year deadline which meant he worked long hours over the past Christmas holiday.
When opportunity knocks, professionals not only
open the door but create one if necessary. In the case
WRITTEN BY CHRIS STEVENS PHOTOGRAPHY BY LOPEZ ARCHITECTS
2 | ArchitectBlueprint.com™
of this proposed $18 million home, the client immediately purchased the vacant land for the Hollywood Hills estate based on the stunning rendering Lopez created. David said it best: “If you work hard there is a payoff, not in money but in client satisfaction.”
Soaring with Unknown Creativity Although there was no doubt speaking with David that he has fond memories of his introduction to architecture as an intern, it wasn’t
several construction companies.
“Ones thought process needs to
until later that a Professor prodded
She introduced David to Bernie,
flow and be open to ideas. Moving
him to consciously build up his
and soon after David went to work
forward, sometimes pushing forward
confidence to explore the full palate
for him.
brings forth new possibilities,” said
of what architecture had to offer.
David
spread
his
creativity
David, referring to the creative process.
A young David was exposed
wings farther than he ever thought
to the general contractor bidding
possible at SCI Arc (Southern
processes through a close mentor
California Institute of Architecture),
capture the essence of a client’s
Bernie Cooper, while witnessing the
his alma mater. It was here that a
dreams, it’s no wonder he was a
technical aspects of architecture
Professor and others he fraternized
top student at world-renowned SCI
thanks to his father Craig Lopez,
with, helped open the proverbial
Arc, where a global culture and
AIA.
window of creative design much
international diversity provided a
wider, thus enabling David’s talent
vibrant learning atmosphere that
to blossom.
transitioned into the professional
Barbara Romero, David's mother, manages the accounting books for
Given
that
David’s
designs
Above: Front view of the $1.2 million "The Paseo" house in California (3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths).
Left: Back view of "The Paseo" house, first project completed with Real Estate Developer RC Thornton. ArchitectBlueprint.com™ | 3
$3 million "Martha" 3,400 sq. ft. main house (4 bedrooms, 4 baths) with a 600 sq. ft. Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).
world.
A Lopez Legacy
the planting of a talent seed that
make his mark in architecture. Being
grew into David's design prowess.
in his 20s, Brett is excelling with
David's father Craig has been a
Despite David and his father
David’s initial guidance into drafting
practicing professional since 1978,
graduating from separate colleges
and beyond. David mentioned that
opening Lopez Architects, AIA, in
(SCI-Arc and Cal Poly, respectfully)
he sees similarities with his own past
1983. During his internship with
they both share a strong bond
in architecture working with Brett
his father, David witnessed Craig's
and love of architecture as evident
allowing spontaneous moments of
exceptional technical competence
in their personal style, projects,
professional exploration and further
firsthand. Back in his early 20s,
and respect earned from other
growth. Now, as an established
David's
professionals.
partner,
decision
to
follow
the
David
appreciates
the
advice of mentor Bernie and follow
Brett, David's younger brother,
younger years when he was an
his father's architecture career was
represents his own talent looking to
“outsider” looking in while on the
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path to finding his true architectural
the books David fondly recalls his
talent.
early projects, declaring they are
Built on relationships, the Lopez legacy
has
been
building
for
they are great friends. “The
Paseo”
house
in
Los
“…a piece of me…” - always to be
Angeles was their first joint creation
remembered.
that included a pavilion on the
decades and from the looks of a
The Great Recession ushered
facade for prominence. With about
long history of built and current
in big changes for David. During
2,900 sq.ft., it was valued at $1.2
renderings, the future is limitless.
this time he met with then client
million expanding to two stories.
Developer Relationships
RC Thornton, a long-time real
The “Martha” house followed in
Sometimes, taking a quick look
estate developer in the Southern
Van Nuys, CA with 3,000 sq.ft. all
back helps solidify the present
California area. It started as a client
on one level. At $1.45 million, the
while opening creative doors to
relationship, then turned into a
spacious deck and pool/spa area
the future. With many projects on
collaborative partnership and now
are surrounded by spectacular ArchitectBlueprint.com™ | 5
movable glass walls.
into the design of a $28 million
Currently, they are on their sixth project
together.
RC
14,000 sq.ft. project.
exalting it to the heights of creativity. Here’s how he did it:
Thornton
Also, incorporating a nine-car
Connection among spaces and
has been an instrumental mentor
garage as a focal point is not what
the natural flow between them is
and inspiration in helping David
most architects have in mind when
critical in architecture. While some
shape and hone his contemporary
planning the layout of a premier
rooms are meant to give off a warm
architectural style and design.
luxury home. You do when the
feeling, others are cooler by nature
Resort Living at Home
client has a multi-million dollar
depending on their core purpose
“Resort living, that’s what I want,”
automobile collection he wants to
within
put on display. David literally turned
Including the rooftop deck, the
And that’s exactly what the client
design fundamentals on their head
“Summit” home has four levels that
got when David poured his passion
by taking a spark of an idea and
seamlessly transition to the slightly
chimed the client.
6 | ArchitectBlueprint.com™
the
luxury
residence.
Left: Resort-like living in this $28 million 14,000 sq. ft. 4-level Beverly Hills "Summit" house (6 bedrooms, 7 baths, 9 car showroom garage and spillover waterfall).
prized car, glass walls, discrete secondary kitchen, maids quarters, butlers quarters, secure panicroom, wine cellar and spectacular spillover waterfall as a visual focal point looking out into the backyard. From top to bottom, this Beverly Hills stunning beauty surrounds its owner with resort-like living without ever leaving home.
Contemporary Luxury Living Contemporary
home
design
enables a strong connection with the
surrounding
Framing
the
environment.
best
aspects
of
landscape views through unique design sloped ground level.
elements
merges
build
creation with nature.
garage.
The infinity pool serves double
This spillover is a waterfall wall
Like Lopez Architect’s amazed
duty as a functional element and
and work of art at the same time -
international client proved, a unique
in an unexpectedly aesthetic way.
simplicity at its brilliant best.
design paired with a scenic location,
gracefully
gets attention as is meant to be -
from the flowing characteristic of
guides guests from the pool deck to
awe inspiring. Just one look at the
water that ties them together in a
this showroom. The term “garage”
rendering is all it takes to see why
most relaxing manner. Strategically
just
Think
the client reacted with a big “Whoa!”
laid out in an “L” shape, the infinity
“automotive art gallery” as a more
expression. Almost a full two sides
pool has two spillovers, one of which
appropriate description for an area
of the dynamic “Oakshire” luxury
acts as a soft visual and physical
that includes a revolving vehicle
home has shimmering spillovers.
transition to the outdoors from the
platform to display a $1+ million
When left to itself, the top pool
Both the lower and first levels benefit
An
open
doesn’t
stairway
do
justice.
ArchitectBlueprint.com™ | 7
$8 million Hollywood Hills "Macapa Dr." 4,800 sq. ft. main house (5 bedrooms, 5 baths) with 1,200 sq. ft. detached ADU.
becomes still, mirror-like in nature,
huge picture windows not only rise
committee. Seeing the $8 million
enabling it to reflect gentle light rays
from floor to ceiling but span the
4,800 sq. ft. custom home stretched
on and into areas of the home in a
entire width of the room making for
across its lot in the Hollywood Hills,
Zen-like manner. The lower water
a seamless visual connection to the
there is no doubt the entire process
retention area walls were artfully
outside world.
was well worth it.
covered in stone to complement the
surrounding
mountainous
landscape. The property features wrap around decks with glass panel railings
No wonder the client made an on-
As expected, both stories of the
the-spot decision to purchase this
main structure include plenty of
vacant land for this true gem of a
window space with several floor-to-
luxury residence he can see himself
ceiling corner windows as featured
living in.
design
elements.
In
between
allowing unrestricted views whether
It took Lopez Architect’s “Macapa
the main house and 1,200 sq.ft.
from the deck itself or looking out
Dr.” home design about three and
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU),
from the homes many floor to ceiling
a half years to secure final approval
three flights of stairs all lead to a
picture windows. Several of these
from the local zoning and planning
large open deck. A sunken lounge
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area below the deck is an open
situated the two-story main quarters
cohesiveness
design. The ADU enjoys its own
on a slightly sloped hill to make
rectangular layout.
sliding glass doors to a private deck
the most out of the topography.
with a uniformly surfaced walk way
Structural
design
truly appreciate the arrangement
leading to the main residence.
techniques, materials, and color
of structural elements. Aspects
were
utilized
of both spatial unity and spatial
to create distance yet maintain
definition play well off each other,
This
five
bathroom
bedroom
and
contemporary
five
design
all
connections, synergistically
of
the
long
The first glance is not enough to
“Ones thought process needs to flow and be open to ideas. Moving forward, sometimes pushing forward brings forth new possibilities.” David Lopez Partner and Lead Designer - Lopez Architects
Contemporary design of first Go Green Express Car Wash location in Tustin, CA. ArchitectBlueprint.com™ | 9
Design of future location of Lopez Architects new offices and studio.
while ultimately melding together the cohesiveness of the property.
Go Green Express Car
a business. The
express
David’s wash
concept
design
will
improve
efficiency by cutting an average
directly delivered a customized self-
customers
serve experience that customers
average of 35 minutes, down to
Like a pleasant warm summer
demand. Sure, a high detail washes
just 15 minutes. A second location
breeze it was refreshing to discover
and clean is wonderful and has its
is already in the works. You may
David’s
projects,
place but the reality is more people
soon see these Go Green Express
properties
don’t have time for a thirty-five
Car Washes popping up all over
minute affair as David described.
Southern
Wash Concept
devotion
including
to
commercial
such as an express car wash
Responding to these realities,
concept in Tustin, CA.
wait
time,
California,
from
and
an
then
possibly nationwide.
Reaching back to his SCI Arc
David utilized a cantilevered parking
Works of Art =
experience, David stated he was
covering to enhance the efficiency
Word Of Mouth
instilled with the fact that “…you
of traffic flow for the property layout.
All of the many properties David
need a reason why you create
Such a covering guarantees plenty
Lopez shared with us told their own
specific forms.” And so it was with
of shade from the sun, significantly
exceptional story while supporting
the Go Green Express Car Wash
reduces
Lopez Architect’s belief in “solid
commercial property where “form
ingress and egress, and eliminates
follows
paramount.
maintenance costs related to multi-
While sharing his designs, David
Not only must the client (and city)
columned structures. In addition,
recalled that as a young student he
approve the design, customers
extended as well as wrapped roof
wasn’t confident that architecture
will be the ultimate judges of the
lines on the main building add
was “…really for me.” It’s as if he felt
property’s utility on a daily basis,
instant visual appeal with a cool
like an outsider looking in. Today, as
thus determining its profitability as
green color tone.
a tremendously talented architect
function”
is
10 | ArchitectBlueprint.com™
fender-benders,
eases
design sensitivity.”
and successful partner, it is clear his work embodies the sense of a mind that virtually “walks” a project on the inside resulting in a work of art as seen from the outside. Lopez Architects was generations in the making. No overnight success story here, simply perseverance and excellence backed by integrity, year in and year out. That is what keeps David continually moving forward serving a wide range of clients with full service architectural, space planning and interior design services. When asked where his clients come from, David told us, “Word of mouth. They see our existing work and they
ARCHITECTURE IS A PROCESS, AN ACT OF OPTIMISM. IT’S DARING TO TAKE A CLIENT’S DREAM AND GO THE EXTRA MILE WITH IT.
want it for themselves.”
What's Your Architectural Dream? Convert your thoughts and dreams into reality by taking that first step.
LOPEZ Architects Ventura County Office 155 Granada Street, Suite L Camarillo, CA 93010 p: 805.484.4962 LA County Office 15547 Calle El Capitan Santa Clarita, CA 91390 p: 714.720.9427 info@lopezstudio.com www.lopezstudio.com
NEXT ISSUE:
We’ll dive into how David Lopez' career transitioned from 2000 sq.ft. renovations to 14,000+ sq.ft. luxury custom home masterpieces of today.
ArchitectBlueprint.com™ | 11