Bentley Residence

SD was commissioned to design this home in Bel Air on a site that was formerly occupied by the home in which the clients raised their family. Their intimate knowledge of the location and its sense of place guided the design of the new residence. The design was formed around constraints of topography, between the existing tennis court and the road. A large tree that the clients planted when their children were small is at the heart and center of the design.

The house turns its back towards the street with a solid formal facade, while the other side of the house opens up to light, air, and view. The interiors, which are grand yet intimate, overlook an infinity edge pool with mountains and ocean beyond.

A series of volumes are focused around the tree in the central courtyard and allow for flow between the interior and exterior of the home. A gallery that showcases the client’ art collection ties these volumes together, and is book-ended with a water feature wall and a fireplace.

SD created a design that generously accommodates formal and informal entertaining, as well as the archetypal California lifestyle of indoor-outdoor living.