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Henry Golding’s Minimalist, Quiet LA Backyard Oasis by OWIU Studio

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Landscape Architecture

Henry Golding’s Minimalist, Quiet LA Backyard Oasis by OWIU Studio

August 11, 2022

Henry Golding first rose to superstardom as the handsome lead in the blockbuster Crazy Rich Asians, with its opulent sets and splashy production design. But the place where the Persuasion actor spends his off time these days—his own backyard, at home in LA—is decidedly simpler.

Golding and his wife, Liv Lo, purchased the circa-1953 Venice Beach home in 2021; just a day after they closed on the property, their daughter, Lyla, was born. So when the couple enlisted their close friend Amanda Gunawan as well as Joel Wong, Singapore natives and principals of LA-based OWIU Studio, to re-do the small backyard, it was with their daughter in mind.

The result is a compact but considered space, with a serene material palette, organic shapes and structures that denote separate spaces, and a Japanese onsen-inspired spa area.

Take a look.

Photography by Justin Chung, courtesy of OWIU.

&#8\2\20;We really wanted to create a home that felt like one complete space,&#8\2\2\1; Henry explained to OWIU, and the same principles applied to the backyard. The 530-square-foot space is connected on a raised deck made from Trex composite decking, divided into spaces for cooking, eating, relaxing, and bathing. The grill area has a two-tone counter of emerald quartzite and concrete. &#8\2\20;I love cooking, and we really love hosting our friends for meals, so we wanted an outdoor space we could also entertain in,&#8\2\2\1; Henry said.
Above: “We really wanted to create a home that felt like one complete space,” Henry explained to OWIU, and the same principles applied to the backyard. The 530-square-foot space is connected on a raised deck made from Trex composite decking, divided into spaces for cooking, eating, relaxing, and bathing. The grill area has a two-tone counter of emerald quartzite and concrete. “I love cooking, and we really love hosting our friends for meals, so we wanted an outdoor space we could also entertain in,” Henry said.
The grill structure continues into a cast-in-place concrete wall. As it curves down to the ground, it becomes the back of a slatted-wood bench for ample seating around the fire pit.
Above: The grill structure continues into a cast-in-place concrete wall. As it curves down to the ground, it becomes the back of a slatted-wood bench for ample seating around the fire pit.
Henry and Lyla in the fire pit area. Amanda envisioned the family entertaining and relaxing outside long after dark, &#8\2\20;with the flame being the only source of light.&#8\2\2\1;
Above: Henry and Lyla in the fire pit area. Amanda envisioned the family entertaining and relaxing outside long after dark, “with the flame being the only source of light.”
On the other side of the concrete wall is a laid-back sitting area and outdoor table.
Above: On the other side of the concrete wall is a laid-back sitting area and outdoor table.
At the other end of the backyard is an onsen-esque spa, set apart by a stone surround. The \18-foot slatted wood structure adds privacy and casts striated shade reminiscent of komorebi, according to the studio, which is the Japanese word for the feeling of dappled light coming through the trees.
Above: At the other end of the backyard is an onsen-esque spa, set apart by a stone surround. The 18-foot slatted wood structure adds privacy and casts striated shade reminiscent of komorebi, according to the studio, which is the Japanese word for the feeling of dappled light coming through the trees.
In addition to a jacuzzi, the outdoor spa includes a shower for rinse-offs.
Above: In addition to a jacuzzi, the outdoor spa includes a shower for rinse-offs.
The team emphasized intimacy and privacy for the young family.
Above: The team emphasized intimacy and privacy for the young family.
A wall-mounted wooden bench serves as seating for meals and a place for Lyla to play. Amanda had Lyla in mind during the project, and the space is designed to be flexible and adaptable as she grows up.
Above: A wall-mounted wooden bench serves as seating for meals and a place for Lyla to play. Amanda had Lyla in mind during the project, and the space is designed to be flexible and adaptable as she grows up.
Lyla in the backyard.
Above: Lyla in the backyard.

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