OWIU Design Transforms Ray Kappe’s Glass Ridge House Into a Tranquil Retreat

Summary

• OWIU Design has renovated the 1973 Glass Ridge House, originally built by renowned American architect Ray Kappe
• The renovation blends Eastern and Western design influences, while also integrating natural elements such as flowing water, tatami flooring and artisan-crafted details

OWIU Design has reimagined the Glass Ridge House, transforming a long-neglected 1973 Ray Kappe property into a tranquil retreat. Nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac in La Cañada Flintridge, Los Angeles, the project was led by Amanda Gunawan and Joel Wong — the founders behind OWIU Design. The renovation reflects the duo’s signature balance of Eastern and Western influences with natural elements and thoughtful craftsmanship integrated throughout. The reimagined home also serves as a reflection of their design philosophy, drawing inspiration from years of travel and multicultural experiences, while honoring the original architecture and its evolving relationship with the surrounding landscape.

Flowing water plays a central role in this transformation, with a glass-enclosed built-in stream, a koi pond near the entryway and a redesigned pool that seamlessly blends into the tree-lined hills. By ensuring that water, greenery, and open space remain integral to the home, OWIU emphasizes the natural elements as key design features, elevating the residence into a modern sanctuary.

Gunawan and Wong also collaborated with Kuboki Tatami – a family-owned tatami workshop from Fukushima Prefecture – to introduce traditional Japanese flooring in unexpected ways. The sunken pit living room, lined with tatami, enhances both warmth and functionality, echoing Asian cultural traditions of floor-level socializing. Similarly, the bed frame is wrapped in custom-treated black tatami, adding subtle texture and depth to the minimalist aesthetic.

Their dedication to material authenticity extends to their tea bar, which is intentionally set apart from the kitchen. Framed by textured marble, this intimate space features custom ceramic tiles by Hashimoto Tomonari, a celebrated Japanese ceramic artist from Shigaraki, whose works incorporate natural materials like rice and millet to achieve a distinctive marbled glaze.

The home exudes lived-in warmth, enriched by travel finds, artisan collaborations and deeply personal touches. Many fixtures were custom-built by the construction firm, Inflexion Builds, ensuring seamless integration with the structure’s natural lines. The kitchen and dining designs emphasize functionality and communal gathering. Its high ceilings with expansive glass windows enhance light-filled spaces, while the dining area’s dark redwood ceiling and blackened wood bar evoke a more intimate atmosphere.

Inspired by Japanese ryokans, OWIU views the home as a retreat from the city, offering a space for meditation and sanctuary amid the fast-paced environment of Los Angeles. Its renovation on the Glass Ridge House reflects the studio’s signature balance between legacy and innovation, embracing the past while shaping a refined and timeless future.