![The front garden of this modern house, has been created with a dense screen of San Pedro cacti, replacing the need for a front fence.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/modern-house-cacti-garden-130522-1202-01.jpg)
Architects Annie Barrett of aalso architects and Hye-Young Chung of HYCArch have completely transformed an existing Spanish-style house in Los Angeles for a couple anticipating semi-retirement.
Working together with Landscape Architect David Hocker of Hocker Design, the front garden has been created with a dense screen of San Pedro cacti, replacing the need for a front fence.
![The front garden of this modern house, has been created with a dense screen of San Pedro cacti, replacing the need for a front fence.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/modern-house-cactus-succulent-garden-130522-1210-01.jpg)
The cactus garden, which also includes some succulents, provides privacy for the home, without hiding the view of the street. A small patio with seating makes use of the low-maintenance front garden.
![This modern house has a cacti garden, that includes some succulents, and has a small patio with seating.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/modern-house-cactus-succulent-garden-130522-1210-02.jpg)
![This modern house has a cacti garden, that includes some succulents, and provides privacy for the home, without hiding the view of the street. A small patio with seating makes use of the low maintenance front garden.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/modern-house-entry-130522-1209-05.jpg)
The house has a minimalist rectilinear form clad in charred shou sugi ban rainscreen siding.
![This modern house has a minimalist rectilinear form clad in charred shou sugi ban rainscreen siding.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/modern-house-cactus-succulent-garden-130522-1210-03.jpg)
At night, lighting highlights the tall cactus and the wood front door.
![At night, lighting highlights the tall cacti and the wood front door of this modern house.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/modern-house-cactus-succulent-garden-130522-1210-04.jpg)
The wood-lined entry has lines that match the charred wood siding of the exterior.
![A modern house with a wood lined entry to match the front door.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/modern-house-entry-130522-1209-06.jpg)
![A modern house with a wood lined entry to match the front door.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/modern-house-entry-130522-1209-07.jpg)
Stepping inside, there’s a spacious, light-flooded living room with colorful artwork by Sol LeWitt and a Cocoon Aeris suspended black fireplace.
![This spacious, light-flooded living room has colorful artwork by Sol LeWitt and a Cocoon Aeris suspended black fireplace.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/modern-living-room-120522-1133-01.jpg)
The adjacent open plan dining area has a custom table design by Annie Barrett that showcases Dinesen Douglas Fir planks with a whitewash finish. Above the table, there are Foscarini Aplomb pendant lights, and the dining chairs are the Fritz Hansen Drop Chairs with custom upholstery.
![This open plan dining area includes a custom design table made from Douglas Fir planks with a whitewash finish.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/modern-dining-room-wood-table-120522-1140-01.jpg)
![This open plan dining area includes a custom design table made from Douglas Fir planks with a whitewash finish, Foscarini Aplomb pendant lights, and Fritz Hansen Drop Chairs.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/modern-dining-room-wood-table-120522-1140-02.jpg)
Nearby, the kitchen includes a large 11-foot island with a Neolith sintered porcelain countertop. A trio of stools made from walnut and maple add a natural element.
![This modern kitchen includes a large 11 foot island with a Neolith sintered porcelain countertop. A trio of stools made from walnut and maple add a natural element.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/modern-kitchen-black-island-120522-1140-01.jpg)
At the rear of the home, there’s a wood deck that steps down to a small pool and hot tub. Small dedicated planters are filled with easy-to-care for plants.
![At the rear of this modern home, there's a wood deck that steps down to a small pool and hot tub. Small dedicated planters are filled with easy-to-care for plants.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/modern-house-backyard-design-120522-1131-01.jpg)
![At the rear of the home, there's a wood deck and small dedicated planters that are filled with easy-to-care for plants.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/modern-house-backyard-design-120522-1131-02.jpg)
Back inside, we can see the hallway connects the various areas of the home and showcases wide-plank Dinesen flooring, that also runs throughout the interior. An interesting design detail in the hallway is a small section of the cabinets dedicated to a cat’s food station and built-in litterbox.
![A design detail in this modern hallway is a small section of the cabinets dedicated to a cat's food station and built-in litterbox.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/modern-hallway-120522-1138-01.jpg)
![A design detail in the hallway is a small section of the cabinets dedicated to a cat's food station and built-in litterbox.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/built-in-cat-litter-box-120522-1137-01.jpg)
The home has two offices, each with its own look. One has wall-mounted wood shelves and a desk, while the other has a white desk and a large black and white mural on the wall. Both offices overlook the backyard.
![A modern home office with a wall mounted desk and wood shelving.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/modern-home-office-120522-1134-02.jpg)
![A modern home office with a white desk and contrasting wall mural.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/modern-home-office-120522-1134-01.jpg)
The primary bedroom is characterized by a white oak vaulted ceiling whose skylight pulls morning light down into the space.
![This modern primary bedroom is characterized by a white oak vaulted ceiling whose skylight pulls morning light down into the space.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/modern-bedroom-vaulted-wood-lined-ceiling-130522-1200-01.jpg)
![This bedroom has a white oak vaulted ceiling whose skylight pulls morning light down into the space.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/modern-bedroom-vaulted-wood-lined-ceiling-130522-1200-02.jpg)
On one wall, custom CNC-milled panels with soft grooves create a crenulated texture of shadows.
![Custom CNC-milled panels with soft grooves create a crenulated texture of shadows.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/modern-textured-bedroom-wall-130522-1200-01.jpg)
The home also has a room for stretching and meditation, that’s lined with softly ridged millwork that conceals a storage cabinet to accommodate yoga equipment, while white oak and felt wall panels and a custom ladder/peg system complete the space.
![A wellness room for stretching and meditation, that's lined with softly ridged millwork that conceals storage cabinet to accommodate yoga equipment, while white oak and felt wall panels and a custom ladder/peg system complete the space.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/home-gym-120522-1155-01.jpg)
![A wellness room for stretching and meditation, that's lined with softly ridged millwork that conceals storage cabinet to accommodate yoga equipment.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/home-gym-120522-1155-02.jpg)
To complete the wellness room, there’s a steam room that’s been designed with a custom teak bench and an integrated toilet seat.
![A modern steam room that's been designed with a custom teak bench and integrated toilet seat.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/modern-steam-room-120522-1158-01.jpg)