It Took 12 Years: The Odyssey of a Self-Built Midcentury Dream on a Steep Mt. Washington Hill
A 12-year labor of love on a lot deemed 'unbuildable' results in a stunning post-and-beam tribute to SoCal modernism.
Architect Diego Cano-Lasso’s twelve-year journey to build his own residence in Mount Washington is a testament to the persistence required to realize architectural dreams on Los Angeles’ most precarious terrain. Originally purchasing two steep lots in 2012 for just $95,000, Cano-Lasso faced a decade of geotechnical rejections, bureaucratic delays, and a global pandemic that stalled his vision for a modern hillside compound. The project eventually became a family affair, with the architect, his wife, and brother undertaking much of the physical construction—from metalwork to tiling—after the local construction industry shifted and costs skyrocketed. The completed homes are a masterclass in post-and-beam construction, utilizing 42-foot timber beams that allow the structures to cantilever dramatically over the hillside. The design draws heavily from the Case Study House era that first lured Cano-Lasso to Southern California from Madrid, featuring expansive glass walls that frame the San Gabriel Mountains and the downtown skyline. Inside, the homes trade clinical minimalism for warmth, utilizing radiata pine walls, zellige tiles, and bespoke furniture, creating a space that feels both inherently Californian and deeply personal.
Curated by Loftway Homes. Read the full article on Los Angeles Times.
