Sunset Homes: John I. Matthias designed a home with a two stories high screened room | Pasadena, California.

This uncommonly interesting house at one time was an uncommon three-car garage on a wooded, hill section of an old estate in Pasadena, California.

But its interest lies less in its origins than in the environment it creates and the exciting quality it achieves by exploiting vertical space. Out from the shell of the original building came a two-story screen structure that enfolds airy space. It allows the main part of the house to be in touch with fresh air, sky, and trees that direct the eye upward. The outdoor room the design creates is another living room, dining room, party room, entry, and hallway. Planned as part of this indoor-outdoor complex is a swimming pool just below, which contributes to an atmosphere of carefree living.

Indoors, the house has a large, informal living-dining area and bedrooms that have the feeling of separate apartments, in contrast with the large group-living spaces. Foot traffic between parts of the house can move either indoors or outdoors.

Strategically located in the center of the house, the kitchen is handy for serving to the dining area or to the screened outdoor room (and to the pool beyond). While the living room and kitchen are usually left open to the screened outdoor room, sliding glass doors can close them in cold or rainy weather.

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source: Sunset Books - Sunset Homes 1967