The Obsidian House is a 5,550-square-foot residence in Studio City, Los Angeles, designed by Shlomi Sfadia of SLS Properties with architecture by Avi Galili and landscape design by Studio Elico. Organized across two levels, the home centers on a 24-foot indoor planter that anchors the open-plan kitchen, dining, and living spaces while strengthening the connection between the interior and surrounding greenery. Expansive glazing and sliding doors extend natural light throughout the layout, reinforcing continuous visual links with the landscaped grounds.
The residence features five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a media room, and outdoor patios that connect seamlessly with the interior. Charred wood cladding, lava stone, limestone, and textured finishes were selected for their durability and tactile qualities, complemented by deep charcoal tones and muted wood surfaces.
Studio Elico coordinated planter locations, tree placement, lighting, circulation, and views alongside the architectural design to unify the landscape with the building. Completed over an 18-month period, the project emphasizes proportion, material consistency, and integrated planting to create a residential environment where nature forms part of the architecture itself.
Image Credit: Nils Timm
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Indoor Landscape Anchors
- Large-scale interior planters are reshaping residential layouts by making greenery a structural focal point rather than a decorative afterthought.
- Biophilic Open-plan Living
- Seamless transitions between kitchens, living areas, patios, and gardens reflect rising demand for homes that merge wellness, light, and spatial flexibility.
- Tactile Natural Materials
- Durable finishes such as charred wood, lava stone, and limestone signal potential for premium interiors that combine sensory appeal with long-term performance.
Where This Applies
- Luxury Real Estate
- Nature-integrated residences create differentiation in high-end housing markets where buyers increasingly value privacy, wellness, and immersive design.
- Landscape Architecture
- Coordinated planting, lighting, circulation, and views expand the role of landscape design into a core driver of residential experience and property value.
- Residential Architecture
- Homes planned around greenery and natural light indicate new possibilities for architects to treat landscape systems as fundamental spatial infrastructure.
