Westridge House

in Brentwood, California. A Seamless Wood Design® Case Study in Collaboration with DARX Studio

 

Nestled within a tree-lined equestrian canyon in Brentwood, the Westridge House represents a thoughtful evolution of vernacular architecture. Designed by Oren Dothan of DARX Studio as a ground-up addition to an existing English country–style home, the project honors the classic barn typology while advancing it through refined materiality and spatial clarity.

The structure—conceived as both a functional complement to the main residence and a distinct architectural statement—called for a material approach that could unify its expansive interior while maintaining an intimate connection to the surrounding landscape. For MADERA, Westridge House became an opportunity to demonstrate how Seamless Wood Design® transforms architectural vision into lived experience, creating environments where craft and nature converge.

At Westridge House, MADERA's sustainably harvested heart oak establishes a unified material language that flows seamlessly from the shared courtyard through every interior space. The wood's natural warmth and inherent character provide a visual and tactile foundation that anchors the 4,000-square-foot lower level—encompassing a guest unit, fitness area, chef's kitchen, and screening room.

Through the Seamless Wood Design® system, MADERA ensured that walls, ceilings, and millwork elements speak as one continuous composition. By minimizing joints, aligning grain patterns, and maintaining color consistency throughout, the oak becomes more than a surface treatment—it becomes the home's defining architectural gesture. This approach allows the material itself to articulate the spatial rhythm and calm precision central to Dothan's vision.

The heart oak's soft, golden tones harmonize with the canyon landscape visible through expansive glazing, creating a dialogue between interior refinement and natural context. Each plank was carefully selected and finished to enhance its organic beauty while meeting the exacting standards required for architectural continuity across varied applications.

The technical execution of Westridge House demanded perfect coordination between design intent and material reality. MADERA collaborated closely with DARX Studio to align every detail—from structural interfaces to custom cabinetry—ensuring that the heart oak maintained its visual unity even as it adapted to diverse functional requirements.

The Seamless Wood Design® system allowed for flawless transitions between surfaces, transforming what could have been a series of discrete wood applications into a single, cohesive environment. This philosophy extends beyond aesthetics into performance: each element was engineered for dimensional stability, durability, and long-term beauty, ensuring the home maintains its integrity through decades of use.

By treating the interior as an integrated system rather than a collection of finishes, MADERA helped realize Dothan's architectural clarity—where every line, corner, and surface contributes to a larger sense of balance and repose.

The barn typology has long represented a marriage of utility and beauty, and Westridge House honors this tradition while pushing it forward. MADERA's heart oak brings warmth and humanity to the home's contemporary geometry, softening its bold volumes without diminishing their strength.

From the chef's kitchen—where cabinetry and ceiling treatments unite in a single material voice—to the screening room's intimate enclosure, the wood creates spaces that feel both expansive and grounded. The material's presence is constant but never overwhelming, embodying what MADERA believes most deeply: craftsmanship that becomes invisible in its perfection yet unforgettable in its presence.

This is architecture that respects its context—both the natural canyon landscape and the enduring tradition of barn structures—while expressing a distinctly modern sensibility. Through sustainable sourcing and meticulous execution, MADERA ensured that Westridge House stands as an example of responsible luxury, where material beauty and environmental stewardship move in harmony.

Westridge House exemplifies what becomes possible when architect and craftsman share a commitment to material integrity and spatial poetry. Together, MADERA and DARX Studio created more than an addition to an existing property—they crafted an environment that elevates daily life through the enduring language of wood.

The project demonstrates how Seamless Wood Design® can bridge contemporary architectural ambition with timeless material authenticity, transforming a barn-inspired structure into a sanctuary of warmth, refinement, and lasting beauty.

Project Overview

Location: Brentwood, California

Architecture: Oren Dothan, DARX Studio

Scale: 4,000 square feet (lower level addition)

Wood Species: Sustainably Harvested Heart Oak

Finish: Willow 501