DAN BRUNN

CONNECTING SPACE

DAN BRUNN MELDS SPATIAL CHOREOGRAPHY WITH EMPATHETIC DESIGN

WRITTEN BY DIANA MOSHER A IMAGERY COURTESY OF DAN BRUNN ARCHITECTURE designer’s ability to hear and interpret their client’s needs and aesthetic vision—even when they are unable to articulate them—has been essential to many of the world’s most stunning architectural achievements. Los Angelesbased architect Dan Brunn has coined the term “empathetic design” to describe this skill he continually hones.

Dan Brunn’s latest design for Walden Monterey, “...a design that just kisses the apex of the hill and then cantilevers on either end.”

“To me, this means that I really listen to the client to understand their demands and background. It’s not only through asking the right questions, but also through listening to the space between words. It could be interpreting body language even. Interestingly, this actually relates to space design,” he adds. “You can think of the words and the sentences they construct as the walls and fl oors, and the space within, is the breath of air.”

Even in his spare time, when he’s composing music or performing with his band, DLD, Brunn views music through the lens of a designer and finds parallels. “Like music, architecture should capture the rhythm of a client’s inner being, propelling the user through the space with movement.”

These insights have no doubt contributed to Brunn’s success. He was recently named one of Architectural Digest’s Top Ten Rising Stars and also selected as one of the top 15 Los Angeles based architects by Build Direct. As a young architect, only 42 years old, he has produced remarkably diverse projects from award-winning restaurants to single-family residences, commercial showrooms and retail spaces.

Throughout each typology he consistently honors materiality, the ability to infuse ethereal natural light and a tactful hiding of mechanics. Complementing this, Brunn’s portfolio includes furniture design in a variety of sleek and highly functional pieces offering streamlined solutions for the living room, bedroom and bath.

Born in Israel, Brunn was raised in Los Angeles from the age of seven. This international upbringing, surrounded by Bauhausstyle architecture in Tel Aviv, and the myriad styles of LA, has led his style and approach to design incorporating both experimental and international elements. “The restraint of these buildings taught me that space and how we experience that space are of paramount importance,” he says.

Before launching his firm in 2005, Brunn designed at John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects, where he was part of the team that created the design for the Los Angeles Design Center, winner of a National AIA award. Past educational work includes teaching a Masters studio at the Boston Architectural Center, and serving as design studio instructor at the prestigious Harvard Graduate School of Design and the USC School of Architecture.

Since establishing Dan Brunn Architecture, Brunn has developed commercial and residential projects worldwide. He believes an architect’s role is to craft spaces that respect the site, provoke sensuous interaction, and heighten the user’s connection with the space. During his travels, Brunn has admired the work of Peter Zumthor’s Kolumba Museum in Cologne, Germany. “The way that building weaves into the city and compliments the existing buildings and ruins is like none other; it’s truly ephemeral. There are portions from medieval periods, gothic and mid-century, all tied together by a common architectural language.”

Brunn is currently working on an Art Deco historic renovation and rehabilitation project in Beverly Hills. “Through the experience, I have seen how much we’ve all had to invest in order to keep the existing building. There’s immense coordination and planning that goes into it, but in the end, you’re really doing something nice for the community and our planet.” EQ.

Opposite: Positively Negative, a 4,000 SF home overlooking Venice Beach.

“The restraint of these buildings taught me that space and how we experience that space are of paramount importance”

—DAN BRUNN

THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME

367 JOBS LANE

WATER MILL

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SOUTH TRADITIONAL

This designer home sits on just over 1 Acre of beautiful landscaping, which simultaneously assists in added privacy. The upper level offers six ensuite bedrooms, and two private balconies ideal for watching the sun rise or set. With large windows and several pairs of French and sliding glass doors, the amount of natural light flowing through this house is unmatched. A spacious living/family room is situated in between the formal dining area and another living area which could easily be used as a study or office. The gourmet chef’s kitchen offers plenty of seating options with the island seating and breakfast area. A sliding glass door in the kitchen leads to a partially enclosed covered porch that can be utilized year round. Perfect for entertaining the porch has a mini outdoor kitchen with a custom built-in grill, sink, and mini fridge- overlooking the expansive backyard and heated gunite pool. The added luxury of an outdoor shower makes rinsing off after the pool so much easier and eliminates unwanted sand from being tracked throughout the house after those sunny beach days the Hamptons are known for. This stunning traditional offers a prime location in Bridgehampton South, within close distance to Mecox Beach. You don’t want to miss out on this incredible opportunity!

57 POND LANE

SOUTHAMPTON

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This six-bedroom, six-full and two-half bathroom traditional is located right across from Lake Agwam, at the beginning of the Southampton Village estate section. This property offers so much more than just it’s ideal location. The formal dining room, amazing open kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a large eat-in island, breakfast area, and full sit-down bar provide the perfect cooking and dining experience. With a gym, custom home theater, and the meticulously manicured lawn lined with trees provides space for entertaining as well as privacy. The 40 x 20 ft , heated, gunite pool, pool house (with full bath), and patio with built-in outdoor mini-kitchen the outdoor entertaining possibilities are endless.

WebID 1821992 $10,995,000

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