Several years ago, Los Angeles–based firm Cigolle X Coleman designed the XYZ Houses, three dwellings on an urban block in Venice, California. Created in tandem, each garnered mass acclaim, including the AIA 2020 Merit Award for Residential Architecture. Recently, Y House was the first of the homes to hit the market.



Completed in 2018, Y House is one of three residences designed by Cigolle X Coleman on the same block in Venice, California. It is the first of the trio to be offered for sale.

Husband-and-wife team Mark Cigolle and Kim Coleman founded the firm in 1982 and spent decades designing, building, and living in several award-winning homes on the city's west side. They built Y House in 2018 with their son, fellow Cigolle X Coleman architect Reid Cigolle, as a personal residence for him and his wife, Isabelle.

Corrugated steel borders the large lot, creating a quiet city oasis with private outdoor spaces. "It is a uniquely private and quiet retreat, despite being just blocks from the beach," says architect and current homeowner Reid Cigolle.

"We were attracted to Venice by its urbanity after years of living in Pacific Palisades," says Reid. "Many of our favorite classic Venice projects by architects like Frank Gehry and Morphosis are back houses or additions that created a unique scale and lot density that is difficult to find in contemporary projects."



The family designed the three-floor residence around the central spiral staircase. Expansive walls of glass wrap around the ground-level living spaces, opening the home up to the outdoors. "The ground floor is great for hosting; the concrete floors, glass walls, and front yard make these main living spaces feel inviting and casual," states Reid.

The residence sits tucked behind the bustling Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Spread across multiple levels, the home presents 2,081 square feet of living space, stitched together via an open floor plan.



Exposed plywood lines the ceiling in the kitchen, contrasting with the polished concrete floors.

Of the three buildings, Y House was conceived as the family home, as it has a second bedroom suite and a living room–cum–play area on the third floor. "It has the most distinct rooms of the three houses," says Reid. "Since we don’t have kids, it works great for us as a live/work house with his-and-her offices."



The kitchen is anchored by a long Max Lam Marmoreal island. Bulthaup cabinetry and Miele appliances complete the space.

A striking combination of steel, aluminum, and plywood, chosen for their strength and durability, impart a lot of personality. "We felt that the material palette captures the playful attitude of the heyday of modern architecture in Venice," continues Reid.



The central steel staircase was fabricated as a single piece.

The show-stopping feature is the central staircase, which was fabricated as a single piece. "The house was literally built around the stairs," states Reid. "The staircase feels very powerful in the space and sets up the relationship between the different floors."



In the living room, a bright red sofa pops against the surrounding white walls.



Another look at the impressive staircase connecting the various floors.

After recently buying another property nearby, the couple are seeking a new owner for the abode. Scroll ahead to see more of Y House, now listed for $2,650,000.



The primary bedroom is located on the second floor. As Reid notes, "The house is designed so that you quickly pass through the second floor on your way to the studio."



The connected bath offers a spa-like oasis, complete with a walk-in shower and standalone tub.



"The third floor has a large and open studio with views that make us feel energized and 'above it all,'" says Reid. "It’s a great place to focus at home."



The residence also includes a spacious roof deck, which frames sweeping city views. "We often enjoy cocktails and sunbathing, observing the weekend bustle of Venice from a perfect distance," says Reid.



An aerial view of the home, showcasing the adjacent X and Z Houses that are part of the trio.