CULVER CITY COMPLETE REMODEL + ADU
THE STORY
Culver City
LOCATIONLos Angeles Westside neighborhood
Full Home Remodel + ADU Conversion
SERVICEInterior, layout, structural, and system upgrades
Complete Home Transformation
PROJECT TYPEReconfiguring an outdated home for modern living
Indoor–Outdoor Living
LIVING STYLEOpen layout with integrated backyard connection
Reconfiguration + Expansion
PRIMARY FOCUSLayout, flow, natural light, and added functionality through ADU
Modern ,Functional ,Cohesive
OVERALL FEELOpen, livable spaces designed around everyday use
This Culver City project focused on a full transformation of a 1950s home that no longer supported how it was being lived in.
The goal wasn’t to preserve the existing layout it was to rethink it entirely. Opening the home up, improving flow, increasing natural light, and creating a clearer relationship between interior and exterior spaces became the foundation of the project.
At the same time, the scope extended beyond the main house. A garage conversion into a 1,200 SF ADU added flexibility, functionality, and long-term value to the property.
The result is a home that feels open, intuitive, and aligned with modern living without unnecessary complexity.
The Challenge
A Culver City home with strong potential — and a layout that no longer supported how it was lived in.
The main living spaces didn’t connect to each other or to the outdoors. The goal wasn’t simply to update finishes it was to open the house up, improve how it functioned day to day, and create a layout that actually made sense for modern living.
The home had good bones, but the way it was organized worked against it.
Rooms felt closed off and disconnected, with limited natural light moving through the space. The kitchen was undersized and separated from the main living areas, making it difficult for the home to function as a shared environment.
Circulation was inefficient, and the layout didn’t support how the homeowners actually wanted to use the space.
Beyond the layout, the house required a full upgrade. Systems were outdated, and key areas no longer met a modern standard of comfort or usability.
At the same time, the project included converting the garage into a 1,200 SF ADU adding another layer of complexity that had to be carefully coordinated with the main house remodel.
The challenge wasn’t just improving the home.
It was rethinking it completely and making sure every decision worked together.
WHAT GUIDED THE TRANSFORMATION
✔️ The home needed to be restructured around how it’s actually used, not how it was originally built
✔️ Opening the layout required structural changes done correctly from the beginning
✔️ The goal was clarity and function — not over-designing or forcing unnecessary complexity
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Our Approach
How we approached the transformation
The first step was stepping back and understanding what the home needed to become not just what needed to be changed.
The layout was completely reimagined.
Walls were removed, circulation paths were simplified, and the main living areas were brought together into one continuous space. The kitchen, dining, and living areas became the center of the home connected, open, and easy to move through.
At the same time, private areas were repositioned to create separation without disconnecting them from the rest of the house.
Structural work came first.
Opening the layout required removing load-bearing walls and reinforcing the structure with new beams. That allowed the space to open up without compromising integrity.
From there, all major systems were replaced electrical, plumbing, and HVAC bringing the home up to modern standards.
The ADU was developed in parallel, converting the garage into a fully functional 1,200 SF living space.
Every decision followed the same logic: improve function, simplify movement, and create a home that feels natural to live in.
Behind the Build
The work behind the finished spaces.
The finished home feels clean and effortless, but getting there required careful coordination across multiple scopes — structure, systems, layout, and ADU construction.
BEFORE — ORIGINAL CONDITION
The home was outdated, closed off, and disconnected.
Rooms felt isolated from each other. The kitchen was enclosed and undersized. Light didn’t move through the house, and outdoor areas were underutilized.
While the structure had potential, the way the home functioned didn’t reflect it.
DURING — IN PROGRESS
The transformation started with structural changes.
Load-bearing walls were removed and replaced with new beams to open up the main living areas. At the same time, all major systems were upgraded to support the new layout.
The ADU conversion was happening alongside the main house remodel, requiring tight coordination between trades and sequencing.
By the time finishes began, the structure, layout, and systems were already aligned allowing the final spaces to feel cohesive rather than assembled.
This is where the real work happens.
Key Decisions
The decisions that shaped how the home now works.
Projects like this are defined by a few key decisions. These were the moves that turned an outdated structure into a home that feels open, functional, and aligned with how it’s actually lived in today.
1
OPEN THE FLOOR PLAN COMPLETELY
Removing walls and restructuring the layout created a true open-concept living environment. The goal wasn’t just to make the space feel bigger, but to allow the kitchen, dining, and living areas to function as one connected space that supports daily life.
2
CONVERT THE GARAGE INTO A 1,200 SF ADU
Transforming the garage into a fully functional ADU added flexibility to the property while increasing long-term value. The design was integrated to feel like a natural extension of the home, not a separate or secondary structure.
3
RECONFIGURE THE BEDROOM LAYOUT
The bedroom layout was redesigned to better balance shared and private spaces. This created a clearer separation between public living areas and private retreats, improving both comfort and usability.
4
UPGRADE ALL SYSTEMS — NOT JUST FINISHES
Rather than relying on surface-level improvements, all major systems were replaced. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC upgrades ensured the home performs as well as it looks, supporting long-term reliability.
5
STRENGTHEN THE INDOOR–OUTDOOR CONNECTION
Openings and layout decisions were designed to connect the interior spaces with the backyard. This allowed outdoor areas to function as part of the home, not just something adjacent to it.
6
KEEP THE DESIGN CLEAN AND FUNCTIONAL
Avoiding unnecessary complexity kept the project grounded. The focus stayed on clarity, usability, and a layout that feels natural to live in rather than overdesigned or overly customized.
Before & After
Drag to reveal the transformation.
Project Timeline
11 months from approvals to handover.
Planning + permits
Project scope coordination, design alignment, and permitting for both the main home and ADU
PHASE 1PHASE 2Demo + structure
Full demolition, structural reconfiguration, and framing for new layout
PHASE 3Systems
Complete replacement of electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems
PHASE 4Finishes
Cabinetry, flooring, tile, lighting, and integration of indoor-outdoor elements
PHASE 5Handover
Final walkthrough, punch work, and project completion
The Result
A Culver City home that feels open, functional, and aligned with how it’s actually lived in.
The result is a home that functions at a higher level than it did before. The main living spaces feel connected and easy to move through, and the layout now supports daily life instead of working against it.
The kitchen sits naturally at the center of the home, the connection to the outdoors feels intentional rather than separate, and the overall flow makes the space feel intuitive from the moment you walk in.
What changed isn’t just how the home looks it’s how it works. The space feels clearer, more cohesive, and more aligned with how it’s meant to be used day to day.
Project overview
ARCHITECT
INTERIOR DESIGN
Heart Construction
LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Heart Construction
PHOTOGRAPHY
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LOCATION
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GUIDE
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