A Los Angeles Craftsman-style residence embraces the ambiance of "In the Mood for Love" and showcases the beauty of everyday artistry.
In the heart of Los Angeles' Silver Lake neighborhood, Paul Chan, a Hong Kong-born architect and designer, has created a unique sanctuary. His studio, Days of Being, is housed in a 100-year-old Craftsman home that he has meticulously repurposed, transforming it into a space that serves as both an artist studio and a rental venue.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Chan spent his formative years in New York and has a strong educational background, holding a Master of Architecture and a Master of Science in Development from Columbia University GSAPP. His work experience includes leading architectural and hospitality projects for renowned firms in New York and Los Angeles, such as Kelly Wearstler, ASH NYC, and DillerScofidio+Renfro. Notable projects include The Siren Hotel, SweetGreen flagship store, and Collective VIP lounge.
Chan's design philosophy emphasizes a balance between light and shadow, precision and imperfection, and reason and intuition. This philosophy is evident in the transformation of the Craftsman home, where architectural features such as exposed beams, sliding shelves, and curtain-covered doorways create spaces where little is hidden, and continuity is maintained.
The studio embodies a thoughtful, poetic approach to design, drawing inspirations from Chan's Hong Kong upbringing, life in New York, and current LA environment. The house's design includes openings peeking into another place, creating a sense of fluidity and openness.
Chan wanted to tap into the spirit of the Craftsman house, which was to strip a house down to its basics and make something beautiful for the common person. The studio is a sanctuary with a yard, a tall tree, a picnic bench, a Chinese porcelain table and stools, and four small children's chairs.
The house was in disrepair when Chan found it. He saw the house as neglected and felt a responsibility to restore it and honor its original intent while making it personal. Chan's design process considers the daily routines of someone in the home, such as making coffee, as integral to the design.
Chan's studio's design reflects his personal feelings and thoughts. He draws inspiration from Asian culture, specifically the presence of shrines in homes, and proposes creating personalized shrines using objects. This year, Chan opened the studio, Days of Being, as a place for visitors to rent and artists to create and recharge.
In addition to the studio space, Chan is launching his first handmade furniture line, Domestic Ritual, this fall. The line, designed by Chan and constructed by collaborator Jeremy Kim, aims to give people a taste of the artful and provide a place to curate personal history.
Chan's work is influenced by Wong Kar Wai's improvisational filmmaking style, and this is reflected in his approach to the home design. He views the role of an architect as akin to a director, setting up spaces for life to unfold. Chan expresses a desire to find the soul of something and take time for it, rather than relying on AI and efficiency.
As visitors step into Days of Being, they are greeted by a space that is a testament to Chan's sensitive, poetic approach to architectural and design work. The studio stands as a unique example of how a century-old Craftsman home can be transformed into a multifunctional artistic sanctuary that merges architectural design with handcrafted furniture and cultural narratives.
- Paul Chan's studio, Days of Being, located in Los Angeles' Silver Lake neighborhood, showcases a blend of California lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, and food-and-drink, as reflected in the handcrafted furniture line, Domestic Ritual, inspired by his personal experiences and Asian culture.
- The transformation of the 100-year-old Craftsman home, now serving as an artist studio and a rental venue, demonstrates a balance between the entertainment industry associated with Los Angeles and the preservation of historical architectural elements, such as exposed beams and curtain-covered doorways.
- Chan's design philosophy, influenced by Wong Kar Wai's improvisational filmmaking style, aims to find the soul of a space, creating a sanctuary that encourages artists to create and recharge, demonstrating the interplay between culture and art in Los Angeles.
- The studio's design, featuring a yard, a picnic bench, and personalized shrines, symbolizes the harmonious integration of home-and-garden elements with the culture and way of life found in the diverse neighborhood of Silver Lake, Los Angeles.
