Edward H. Fickett "Satnick Residence, No. 4": An Architectural Perspective

"Satnick Residence, No. 4", Edward H. Fickett, FAIA, 1972

A week ago, modernhomeslosangeles tweeted about the 1972 "Satnick Residence, No.4", masterpiece designed by masterful Edward H. Fickett, FAIA, which came onto market.  This home would be the fourth and last Los Angeles home designed by Fickett for Dr. Soll Satnick and wife Clare.  As early as 1945, the Satnick's had employed Fickett as their architect and through their lifetime, they would build four homes together. 

This past week, I went through the 4 bedroom and 2.5 bathroom home and shot some photos of the gorgeous listing located at 784 San Lorenzo Street, Santa Monica Canyon, 90404.  My objective was to take a closer look at the architectural attributes of the home and its design.  I never like shooting in Winter light, so pardon the flares and low light.   

Always on the hunt for "Fickett Fences" and I spotted a slatted side gate done with metal.  It is one of his signatures to have slatted shadow boxes, gates or shade screens.  As time went on, Fickett would be known to use steel as his resource for creating the slatted effect. Let's take a closer look...

Upon driving up to the home, you will notice the clerestory windows that cap the roof and allow beautiful natural light to spill into the large vaulted interior ceilings. 

You are greeted at the front entrance with two water features and explosive mid-century modern architectural elements.  The amount of timber that went into this home is incredible with support beams massive in scale.  This 5,257 square foot post and beam is of a great scale in all ways imaginable including its 15,000+ square foot lot two doors west of the Riviera Country Club's golf course.   

The inlaid wood treatment with the concrete pads combine the wonderful elements of hard and soft resources, making the home seamless with nature.  The private bench adjoins a stream-like water-feature that leads to a front private patio outside the front bedrooms.

There is a second water-feature, this time, very sen-like below the screening room windows.

I really enjoy studying Fickett's lighting design, something he enjoyed doing.

 Hold your breath because we are about to go inside...

Fickett knew, "A doctor could always pay the bills."  "No. 4" reaches architectural alchemy with tremendous thought given to the design of the Satnick's home.  Many elements and features of a "Fickett Home" are present in this modern, light-filled home.  So many architectural details go into the making of this Fickett signature design including, landscaping, resources, engineering, lighting design, tile design, interior design, and even a basketball hoop in the foyer!  

Here is a better presentation of his lighting designed for the home.  Upon stepping inside, you feel and see the effect of the upper clerestory windows, as well as the enormity of the design.  The entrance foyer with enough wall space for any art collector to showcase work, also has a basketball hoop.  The entry hall separates the sleeping quarters.  Kids in the front and parents in the back.  There is also a powder room off the entrance hall. 

The pocket door to the media room softly moves into the wall next to the built-in corner shelving in the lounge area.

The media room provides comfortable lighting through the peek-a-boo windows, sliders and clerestory window.

The lounge has a double-sided fireplace, wet-bar and skylight.  The next few photos express the architect's design methods of this post and beam modern with 15 foot ceilings.

Fickett's play on angles and shapes is always a soothing experience.  He finds the right balance with his work.  There is a symmetrical quality to his design; always grounded.  His play of the roof line creates a wonderful interior display of light and texture. 

The beams crossing the bar area create more light-play with shadowing effects.  He even places a window of the reverse of the entryway to allow light to spill through.

The ceiling above the entrance is yet another example of the engineering that went into this design.

Cut-outs in the wall between lounge and living area repeat the vertical and horizontal lines of the home's design.

The open and spacious living room, dining area, kitchen and master bedroom spill onto the landscaped backyard with tropical landscaping, fire pit, pool and waterfall. 

"Fickett Red" is spotted in the kitchen with tile accents and center island showcasing one of Fickett's favorite colors.  Eli Broad commented to Fickett's widow, Joycie, that his use of the red-painted steel accents at the Broad Contemporary Museum at LACMA was an homage to Fickett's once-red bridge-crossing at his design for Rapport, the furniture store on N. La Brea Ave. 

The large wood-framed pass-through window from the kitchen to the outdoor eating area glides to perfection.  Such a peaceful and tranquil environment to be enjoyed.

Back to the front hallway and the sleeping quarters...  The master suite is absolutely dreamy, including bedroom, bathroom, gym, dressing area and plenty of closets. 

Wow!  Beautiful tile with bamboo motif, designed by Fickett.

Here are details of the concaved tile and the diagonal pattern Fickett chose.

The private gym off the bath makes your 20 minutes a day easy! 

The dressing area which leads to the master bedroom area of this suite.  Who doesn't need a tri-fold mirror to assist?  Natural light spills into the dressing area with the advent of the skylight above. 

The resort-like master bedroom leads directly outdoors through hung wood-framed sliders, skylight and corner window full of natural light.

Back out in the entry hall is access to the office or "Crow's Nest".  Again, you cannot help note the architectural enormity of this home.

Utility storage room area lead to doors to outside and garage, as well as the stairs up to the office area.

As you approach the office, you are able to study the structure with an up-close-and-personal look at the engineering of the ceiling beams.  The natural light infused through the beaded glass also provides privacy.  I love the triangle clerestory window Fickett chose to place in the upper corner.

The interior is spectacular, but the backyard landscaping Fickett designed is an oasis of tropical proportion.  When Fickett had the opportunity to landscape his designs, he would use his resources from his nursery kept in Covina.  He has an eye for every aspect of design and always appreciated using his master's degree in landscape architecture.  The "Satnick Residence, No. 4" is a great example of the lush gardens and hideaways Fickett would provide. 

Fickett enjoyed taking advantage of the climate here in Los Angeles, while creating beautiful artwork with his landscape designs.  The pool with cascading waterfall and spa invite the soul to quench its thirst.

The below photos feature Fickett's pocketing of the hung wood-framed sliding doors.  They would stack together to meet only one panel of stationary glass and allow as much outdoor environment to flow inside.

The hidden garden with mature bamboo and fire pit are a sanctuary of peace and warmth on chilly Santa Monica Canyon evenings. 

The mature bamboo surrounds the cement bench that wraps around the fire pit, while you can see the flames from the dining area. 

This beautiful design is sure to land in good hands.  With impeccable design details, it will attract those who understand and appreciate architecture, but to anyone with good sense!

After Dr. Satnick passed in 1982, his wife Clare eventually sold the home in 1999 for $1,550,000.  The second owner then sold the home in 2008 the the current owner for $4,200,000.  Cynthia Anbuehl of Partner's Trust had a very busy Caravan for the $5,495,000 listing, which is now pending. 

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