Pro Portfolio: East meets West in an updated Calabasas ranch house

On Mondays we post a new home whose design is presented in the architect's or designer's own words. This week:

Contractor: Mark Sapiro, Structure Home, Woodland Hills

Design consultant: Coryne Lovick, Lovick Design, Santa Monica

Project location: Calabasas

Project's goal: To build a home to suit the needs of my wife and me, utilizing a fresh, new architectural style with an open floor plan for entertaining and no wasted space.

Contractor's description: I chose one of my preferred architects, Eric Zuziak of JZMK Partners, to help design the residence.

With an eye toward environmentally friendly construction, the project included deconstruction of the existing structure. Building components were carefully dismantled for reuse, recycling and waste management and donated to Habitat for Humanity for resale.

The new home has many features using the latest energy-efficient materials, including 100% natural cellulose fiber insulation made from recycled newspapers that was blown into the walls for optimal sound and thermal insulation. Special plywood roof sheathing with a foil radiant backing that reflects the sun's heat was used to lower interior temperatures. In-line tankless water heaters were installed to reduce energy consumption and supply hot water on demand.

An energy-saving lighting control system was installed, with digital technology that allows individual programming of all lighting in the home by software accessed by personal computer. An integrated whole-house entertainment management system allows access to television, music, photos and the Internet from eight separate in-wall or remote locations throughout the home.

Keep reading for more photos and details on the house ...

A walkway leads visitors past peaceful fountains to the front door of the updated and expanded ranch house, which incorporates standing-seam metal and concrete roofs.

In the front door, panels of copper-colored dupioni silk, sandwiched between panes of glass, filter sunlight and provide privacy. Blue Mist limestone and Douglas fir were used throughout the house to ensure flow and continuity.

African anigre, a hardwood, was used on the large wall at left, which displays a large piece of artwork by Gordon Huether. The room also features art and artifacts acquired on trips abroad; the large statue at the rear is a 19th century Buddha from Bangkok.

The furniture in the dining area and great room is from Berman Rosetti. An airy, delicate-looking chandelier from LBL Lighting was chosen so as not to obstruct the view.

The massive custom bi-pass doors stack and slide into a pocket, creating a large space for indoor-outdoor entertaining. The loggia's Douglas fir overhang provides shelter year-round.

Contemporary garden chairs bring Asia-inspired motifs outdoors.

The fireplace at right warms the loggia on cool evenings. The tan stone on the fireplace and exterior of the house is from Arnold Stone.

The swimming pool is original to the house but was upgraded with stone and LEDs that can change color according to the owner's mood and the season.

In the kitchen, Douglas fir was used for the cabinets and zebrawood for the base of the island, which is topped with chocolate leather granite. The freezer and refrigerator are by Viking.

Dupioni silk lanterns flank the brown linen headboard in the master bedroom. The artwork at right is by Laddie John Dill.

Lucite doors keep out dust and protect clothing in the large, custom-fitted closet off the master bedroom. Blue Mist and Pierre Brun limestone top the island, which has drawers on two sides.

A custom teak vanity with a back-lit mirror is complemented with a Japanese-style soaking tub by Zuma Collection in the master bathroom. The large walk-in shower has sand-blasted glass pocket doors as well as awning windows, positioned for privacy while allowing views to the outside.

A custom bamboo spiral staircase leads to the 250-square-foot yoga loft. The zebrawood cabinets at left hold linens and display of brass monks from Bangkok.