Inside a Secret Garden House That Disappears Into Its Surrounding Nature (House Tour)

From the moment the gates opened, client and interior designer Gillian Wynn knew Palms Residence was the secret garden house she had been looking for. After enlisting the help of Olson Kundig for the architecture and design of her home, Gillian delivered a brief that asked for something that was unlike the past work of the studio. As the agenda of the residence was mostly focused on emphasising the garden, both Tom Kundig, Principal and Founder at Olson Kundig, and Gillian knew that in order to make her vision come to life, the home needed to be manipulated around nature.

Seen throughout the house tour is a yoga studio, living and dining areas and a couple of bedrooms, each space blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living and taking advantage of the paradise-like climate of Venice. Employing a number of design techniques, Olson Kundig treats architecture like “layers of clothing,” in that there are multiple ways to open and close the home and manipulate how one can enter and exit. Yet it is how the garden is shaped around the home to encourage light to trickle through the trees and inside to complement the interior design that turns Palms Residence into a secret garden house.

With the focal point of indoor and outdoor living, the home is complemented with wide glass doors and a glass-walled stairwell that invites the light in and creates a warming character. Moreover, due to the home’s location, there is a magical quality of natural light that emphasises the architecture and interior design from the moment the sun rises and until it sets. Additionally, the home’s private yoga studio features a Gamelatron installation, a kinetic sculpture designed by the owner’s close friend Aaron Taylor Kuffner. Composed on site, the sculpture emits a sound bath via Indonesian gongs, which sets the tone of meditation and flow for the rest of the secret garden house.

Through the modest and simple palette, Olson Kundig has intentionally employed a system of proportions and materials that become the background to the main character of the home – the garden. To further complement the secret garden house, thin windows with metal bracing are used to pick up the horizon lines of the garden, whilst white stucco is also employed to reflect the sunlight as it moves through the sky. Additionally, the roof planes and the colour of the secret garden house are dark, so that the vibrancy of the garden can pop. Designed to disappear into the garden, Palms Residence has a natural flow between inside and out that allows the home to become part of the landscape.

00:00 - Introduction From The Homeowner
00:57 - Collaborating With The Architect
01:28 - Intertwining The Indoors And Outdoors
02:43 - Venice's Natural Light
03:14 - The Unique Kinetic Sculpture
04:09 - A Modest Palette
04:56 - Disappearing Into The Garden
05:27 - The Deconstructed Geometry Of The House

For more from The Local Project:

Photography by Trevor Tondro.
Architecture by Olson Kundig.
Interior Design by Gillian Wynn.
Landscape by Russ Cletta Design Studio
Filmed and Edited by Cheer Film Squad Co.
Production by The Local Project.

The Local Project acknowledges the traditional territories and homelands of the Indigenous peoples in the United States. We recognise the importance of Indigenous peoples in the identity of our respective countries and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Indigenous people of these lands.

#GardenHouse #Architecture #Venice

[stargazer]

I understand the spirit of "living with less", but this house is the representation of luxury. May all people on earth can live one day in such beautiful homes.

[susanT]

I wish we could have seen more of the actual house because it looks stunning.

[RussC-nv]

As the Landscape Architect that designed and installed this garden, it evolved and grew over a period of several years. The Local Project did end up including me in the credits, for which I'm very thankful. A truly spectacular residence that occupies a small footprint for the size of the lot and incorporates the existing mature trees and plant material. In an age of overbuilding and maximized square footage, this project is a refreshing balance of interior and exterior space.

[marionlou]

Easily one of the best houses presented here. I think we need to understand the power of a garden and of greenery when it comes to building a place where you want to feel good, at home. It has such a relaxing vibe that immediately transports you to another world and makes you realize that you’re a part of this garden… just so wonderful, I love this

[mrvk]

I loved the bits and pieces of the house that were shown. It achieved exactly what the famous architects wanted - a house in a garden that lets all of that in. But, I am bit disappointed we didn't see more of the house - the kitchen (Kundig is famous for them), bedrooms, the flow of the space, the stairs. I want to see more!

[sealswimswim]

The kinetic gong sculpture and way the architecture frames the plantings really is poetic. I love the openness of the living area, yet how it retains privacy with the trees surrounding it.

[Virgo]

SHE NEED TO KISS THE GROUND SHE WALKS, TO BE LUCKY TO AFFORD AND HAVE A EXTREMELY BEAUTIFUL HOME LIKE THIS. HER HOME IS TRULY PEACE ON EARTH! ❤❤❤❤❤

[dioskouros]

I rarely watch a house tour video more than once.This house is an architectural marvel, and I totally get the owner hearing angels sing as soon as the gate opened, this garden in heavenly

[surfnbacker]

“Provides the psychological benefits of living with less”. Says the woman in a $10mm home with a yoga studio. Gorgeous home but that may be the most ridiculous statement I’ve heard.

[jtdave]

I'M obsessed with this garden. You have to be really lucky to find something like this and to live like that in Venice it's not common an really rare. I love this house so much. If you know her father this definitely and absolutely not his style. I love that for her. Love love this

[bosvigos]

Quite simply the most magnificent home I have ever seen. It’s connection to the outside is truly magical. What a glorious creation.

[creolelady]

Absolutely beautiful and my type of home. A place that lowers the blood pressure and maintains the calmness of your mind which I need because of my high stress levels

[ThePY]

This is absolutely beautiful! The worst part of watching this is knowing that in my lifetime, I will never have the opportunity of living in something so beautiful and open to the elements or shall I say the positive elements. I am completely stunned at this property is beauty. And ashamed that I would never get to experience it. Thank you, whoever you are for sharing it with us. 🙏🏾

[carolinawren]

even an architect as gifted, and perhaps particularly an architect as gifted, as Tom Kundig needs an exceptional client for true magic to occur.

[pavana]

As an avid gardener this house is a total soulful inspiration. I need to build a less expensive version of this. The gong art was so beautiful - sound bath.

[alymerry]

I’m a javanese, and i was so impresed with the gamelan machine concept! Great idea. Peaceful house 😊

[artel]

Tom Kundig must have considered it a special project to take on the project and appear on video. It's a beautiful home with a contemporary crittal art deco window style😍

[CourtneyBishopPOA]

What a gorgeous space for a yoga studio. The sound of angels as the gates open.. that's how you know you've found the one ✨Magic.

[tugashasna]

as a part of Javanese people, i really appreciate how the sound of gamelan can be a means of mediation in this house. Meanwhile, all the interior and the exterior in this house trully suit my taste tbh. It's completly amazing, and thanks also for the cinematic video

[kerjagawe]

I spent my whole life with gong, it's very common in Indonesia. But, the way you 'treat it', I never imagine that before. Beyond my imagination, absolutely beautiful!