Whipple Russell Architects FAQ for Designing Custom Modern Luxury Homes with Indoor Outdoor Flow and Resort Style Living

At Whipple Russell Architects, our work is rooted in a deep understanding of space, light, and how people live. We believe that architecture is a conversation between landscape, lifestyle, and timeless beauty. Whether a project is overlooking coastal bluffs, tucked into hillside terrain, situated in sculpted desert landscapes, or integrated into vibrant cityscapes, our approach remains the same. It starts with you, your lifestyle, routines, and your dreams about how you want to live in your space. We believe modern luxury isn’t about excess, it’s about thoughtfulness - spaces that feel open and effortless, connected to their surroundings, and filled with natural light. Often our clients are looking for a warm and romantic aesthetic. We design homes that are as comfortable and functional, as they are striking, with details that enhance daily life in ways both big and small.

To us, resort style living means your home feels like a retreat every day, with fluid indoor outdoor living spaces full of natural light, luxury elements, and views. For some clients, this will mean waking up to sweeping vistas, or swimming laps in a pool at sunset, and for others, entertaining in an open plan home where the kitchen, living room, and pool terrace all flow seamlessly from one into the other. It’s about capturing the sense of calm, beauty, and escape you can find at your favorite resort, and weaving that into the fabric of everyday life.

While our work has a recognizable modern aesthetic of clean lines, openness, and strong indoor-outdoor connections, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Each project is unique, because every client is. Some homes lean more towards warm and organic, while others are bold and sculptural, but they all share the same DNA: timeless design, livability, and respect for the site. We tailor every design to the people who will inhabit it, and the land that holds it.

We design with movement in mind, and the goal of blurring the boundary between indoors and out. Sliding glass walls that disappear when opened, flush floor transitions, materials continuity, and outdoor living spaces as considered as interiors, all contribute to a seamless luxury indoor outdoor experience.

It depends on the site and the lifestyle of the client, but swimming pools, spas, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, shaded lounges, and landscaped gardens are all common outdoor features. We also love to add more personal touches, like rooftop decks with outdoor fireplaces and cinema screening areas. The right features are always those that support the way you want to live in your home.

Absolutely. Many of our clients ask for spaces dedicated to wellness, including gyms, saunas, massage rooms, salons, and spa-like bathrooms with steam showers, cold plunges, and float tanks. We design these spaces with the same attention to detail as the rest of a home, so they don’t just function well, but feel restorative.

We shape each home in conversation with its environment. In the desert, we work with sun angles, thermal mass, clerestory light, passive cooling strategies, and native landscaping. In hillside settings like Los Angeles we maximize views, design for vertical movement, and integrate thoughtful engineering. Coastal homes balance a breezy openness with protection from the elements. Each site has its own personality and requirements. Respecting the land and the climate is key for creating an enduring, efficient house.

Yes. Many of the neighborhoods we work in hold strict architectural guidelines to protect views, aesthetics, and the cohesive identity of the neighborhood. Guidelines vary widely, but we know how to design creatively within those frameworks to deliver a house that still feels distinctly yours. Our design process embraces constraints as creative opportunities.

While we’ve become widely known for our work in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Palm Springs, and Paradise Valley, we design modern homes across the United States and internationally. Our work is continually expanding into growing modern residential hubs, and we see ourselves as a good fit for places like Austin, Aspen, and Miami. We're also familiar with luxury markets including Cherry Creek, Palm Beach, Naples, and Woodside, and look forward to working in these areas. Whether it's desert, mountain, hillside, or the coast, we bring the same passion for modern living, and always adapt to each unique site. Below are the current locations of our modern home designs.

• West Coast
  Los Angeles: Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills, Brentwood, Benedict Canyon, Santa Monica, Bel Air, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Marina del Rey, Venice, Encino, Studio City, North Hollywood, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, Los Feliz, Beverlywood, Rustic Canyon, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Burbank, Glendale, Westlake Village, Woodland Hills, Cheviot Hills, Pasadena, Thousand Oaks, Toluca Lake, La Cañada, Hidden Hills, Tarzana, Holmby Hills, San Marino, Valencia, Glendora, Agua Dulce, Sylmar, Walnut, Whitley Heights

  Southern California: Montecito, Laguna Hills, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Palos Verde, Palos Verdes Estates, Long Beach, San Clemente, Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Santa Ana, Aliso Viejo, Garden Grove, La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe, San Diego, San Marcos, Redlands, Mountain Center, San Luis Obispo, Atascadero, El Segundo, Redlands, Northridge, San Bernadino, Hemet

  Northern California: Saratoga, Orinda

• Southwest & Desert
  California: Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage

  Arizona: Paradise Valley, Oro Valley

  Nevada: Las Vegas, Henderson

• Mountain West

  Nevada: Lake Tahoe, Reno, Incline Village

  Colorado: Crown Point

• South

  Texas: Houston, Dallas

• Mid-Atlantic / Southeastern

  Virginia: Great Falls, Lake Anna

  North Carolina: Charlotte

• Northeast

  New York: Caledonia

• International

  France: Anglet

  England: Sussex

  Caribbean: Grenada

  Canada: Edmonton, Alberta; King, Ontario

Since 1985, we have enjoyed continued success creating architecture inspired by the people who work, live and play in our environments. The lives that occupy the work inspire the body of work… 

During every phase of a project we ask ourselves these five questions, also found in our promise:

• have we listened deeply to our clients?

• have we drawn from our breadth of experience?

• have we distilled the design to its most simple, appropriate form?

• have our plans and systems provided clarity and peace of mind for our clients?

• are we exceeding expectations?

We believe it is our commitment to achieving a resounding ‘yes’ to each of these questions that has generated our long list of diverse and satisfied clients. 

Each project begins with a series of collaborative dialogues. By listening carefully to our clients, we discover how they want to live in their home, and what their unique preferences are. From there, a floor plan starts to emerge that supports the desired experience, and this in turn, is what determines the aesthetic.

Throughout the entire process we maintain a flexible and evolving relationship with clients, prioritizing communication and a productive flow of ideas. What we design is what is built, so it’s important that there’s a complete understanding of the final plan. Comprehensive 3D videos and a virtual reality experience allow clients to see their project, as it takes shape, before construction begins.  

As involved as you want to be. Some clients love diving into every detail, others prefer us to carry the vision forward. Either way, we guide you step by step, making sure you feel confident and excited at every stage.

Yes. We offer interior design for projects where we’re also designing the architecture. That said, we’re always happy to collaborate with any interior designer the client brings to the table. We’ve worked both ways, and we’re flexible.

Yes, absolutely. Our portfolio is available to view online, and we’re also happy to share specific projects that align with your vision, whether that’s a desert retreat, hillside home, or a project similar in scope to what you’re planning.

Each of our homes is designed specifically for the people who will live there and the unique characteristics of their site. While we don’t resell plans, we’re happy to create a new design inspired by something you’ve seen in our portfolio.

Yes. We work closely with land use consultants and permit expediters who are deeply familiar with local jurisdictions. Their expertise helps streamline the process, allowing us to stay focused on what we do best: design. We coordinate closely with them throughout, providing the necessary documentation, and addressing any agency comments or revisions as they come up.

The most successful projects are those that maintain the involvement of the architects throughout the construction phase. We love designing, but nothing beats seeing our work come to life in person, so we like to stay closely involved during construction, collaborating with trusted builders, and visiting sites regularly. This ensures that what's built matches the original design, down to the details.

Yes. We often work with consultants to integrate smart technology and sustainable systems into our homes. This can include full automation, like motorized doors, windows, skylights, and shades, as well as audio, home theaters, solar power, battery backup storage, reverse osmosis water systems, and generators. We also consider things like passive cooling strategies and high-performance glazing. Whether you're focused on convenience, energy efficiency, or both, we’ll help design a home that works for your lifestyle and long-term goals.

Out of respect for our clients’ privacy, we don’t share full architectural drawings beyond what’s already featured on our website. What you see published is the extent that our clients are comfortable making public.

We do, but we treat every client with the same level of respect and discretion. Whether you’re a public figure, or simply someone who values privacy, we’re mindful of keeping the process both comfortable and secure.

It depends on a few key factors, including local jurisdictions, site complexity, and the scope of the project. The design phase usually takes about 4 to 5 months. Permitting can vary significantly, depending on the city and its local agencies. Construction timelines also vary by scale and complexity, but most homes take between 18 and 24 months, sometimes more, sometimes less.

Yes, and we recommend it. We offer site feasibility reviews to assess design potential, buildability, sun exposure, views, privacy, community guidelines, and local restrictions in order to help you understand the opportunities and challenges of a site before you commit.

We do. Whether you plan to live in your home for a time before resale, or it’s a custom spec project, we always consider long-term value, balancing personal touches with timeless design, and features that hold broad appeal. We often accommodate clients with an eye towards the future, and what will sell best down the line.

We work on projects of all different sizes. While many of our homes are spacious and highly customized, we also design compact modern residences that prioritize efficiency, experience, and beauty. We find that to achieve the drama we’re known for, the sweet spot for a project size starts at around 3,500 - 4,000 sf, though what matters most is the clarity of vision, and our collaboration with the client, not necessarily the square footage.

Yes. In addition to our private residential work, we frequently collaborate with developers on high-end spec homes and custom projects.

A well-designed home doesn’t just look beautiful, it sells faster, and at a higher price. We know what features buyers value, and how to design homes that stand out in a competitive market. Even in a speculative context, our homes feel bespoke.

Definitely. We stay current on buyer preferences and market trends. From must-have amenities and wellness features, to emerging design ideas and technologies, we’ll help you prioritize what adds the most resale value.

Yes, we tailor our services to fit your scope and budget, from full-service design, to focused concept packages aimed at early-phase land evaluation and streamlined builds. Let’s discuss your approach.

Absolutely. We analyze zoning constraints, views, slope, sun path, privacy potential, topography, neighborhood context, and resale prospects in order to identify the best opportunities for return on investment.

Yes, we regularly work in areas with challenging regulations, including hillside, view-sensitive, and coastal zones. We partner with experienced permit expediters, engineers, and land use consultants to navigate these complexities, and streamline the process. Whether it's a private home or a spec project, we coordinate closely with them in order to keep things moving, provide detailed documentation, and respond to agency feedback. We’re happy to work anywhere, no matter the complexity.

Architecture and design language can include a lot of jargon, but we keep it simple. If we use a term like “JADU,” we’ll explain it in plain English, and in the context of your project. We want you to feel informed and empowered, not overwhelmed. The following are a few key terms and concepts that you may encounter throughout the design process:

• ADU

  Accessory dwelling unit. A self-contained residential unit located on the same lot as the primary home. ADUs can be detached, attached, or converted from an existing space (like a garage), and typically include a kitchen, bathroom, and separate entrance. They’re often used for guests, extended family, or as rental units.

• Anti-Basement

  A sunlit, open lower level that defies traditional basement darkness, often designed around sunken courtyards and atria.

• Baja Shelf

  A shallow area in a pool, typically for lounging or sunbathing, often used in resort-style pool designs.

• Cabanas / Pavilion

  Freestanding or semi-attached outdoor structures used for lounging, entertaining, or relaxing poolside.

• Clerestory Windows

  High, horizontal windows placed near the roofline that bring in soft light and enhance ventilation while maintaining privacy.

• Cold Plunge

  A small, cold-water pool or tub used after heat exposure like sauna or sun.

• Control4 / Crestron / Basalte

  Advanced smart home systems used to automate lighting, climate, and entertainment functions, often via touchscreens or mobile apps.

• FAR (Floor Area Ratio)

  A zoning calculation that determines how much floor area can be built on a given lot size.

• Floating Stair

  A staircase with concealed supports, often cantilevered, creating the illusion of weightlessness.

• Hillside Ordinance

  Local regulations that affect design and construction on steep hillside lots, including grading limits, retaining walls, and access.

• HPOZ (Historic Preservation Overlay Zone)

  An LA-specific zoning designation meant to preserve architectural character in historic neighborhoods.

• Indoor Outdoor Living

  A design approach where interiors flow seamlessly into exterior spaces through open plans, sliding glass walls, and material continuity.

• JADU

  Junior accessory dwelling unit. An independent living space that’s built within the confines of an existing home.

• LADBS

  Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety: they oversee permits, codes, and inspections for LA construction projects.

• Modern Architecture

  A design style characterized by clean lines, open floor plans, minimal ornamentation, and the integration of function with form.

• Passive Cooling

  A design strategy that uses air movement, water, and material orientation to cool a home naturally, minimizing energy use.

• Passive Design

  An approach that maximizes natural light, ventilation, and thermal performance through smart orientation, shading, and material selection.

• Pedestal Decking System

  An engineered flooring system where outdoor tile surfaces rest on adjustable pedestals, creating a level, grout-free surface that drains below.

• Program

  The list of required spaces and functions within a home, e.g., number of bedrooms, wellness room, outdoor kitchen, etc.

• Resort Style Living

  A lifestyle oriented design approach that brings spa-like features, water elements, outdoor lounges, and wellness amenities into residential spaces.

• RFA

  Residential Floor Area. The total enclosed livable square footage within a residential structure, as defined by local zoning codes. RFA typically excludes garages, basements, attics, and accessory structures, and is used to calculate allowable building size, based on zoning regulations like FAR (Floor Area Ratio).

• Setback

  The minimum distance a structure must be from property lines, streets, or easements, often varies by zone.

• Smart Home Integration

  The use of technology to automate lighting, audio, security, climate, and shading - often app controlled.

• Spa Bathroom

  A primary bathroom designed with luxury finishes and amenities like soaking tubs, steam showers, and integrated lighting.

• Threshold Design

  The architectural detailing that manages how one moves from indoor to outdoor space, often using flush flooring, large openings, or frameless glass.

• View Corridor

  A deliberate visual axis established within the home, framing key landscape elements or architectural features.

• Wellness Room

  A dedicated space in the home designed for activities like yoga, meditation, massage, or exercise, often paired with nature views or calming materials.

• Zero Edge Pool

  A pool where water flows over the edge, creating a seamless visual plane and a luxurious mirror effect. Also known as an infinity pool.