Renovation merit: Via de la Paz residence, Pacific Palisades, Calif.: Nonzero\Architecture / Studio Bau:ton: Los Angeles.

It's a significant accomplishment when an architect is entrusted with a Richard Neutra house. Peter Grueneisen has had the good fortune to work on this particular 1949 Neutra design not just once, but twice--and for two different clients. The first phase, done from 1995 to 1999, centered on

Researching Neutra's work and "learning how the house was put together" was especially interesting for Grueneisen. "We tried to expand what had been started in a way that blended in, without pretending that it was old but that it was seamless at the end," says the Swiss-born architect. "Both owners made the conscious decision that whatever was done should blend in. Among architects the approach might be stronger and more different [than the original]. But we weren't there to try to trump the original or to compete with it." The judges agreed. "There are wonderful pieces added. He takes a good house and skillfully makes some more of it."

principal in charge / project architect / interior designer: Peter Grueneisen, nonzero\architecture / studio bau:ton; general contractor: Joe Conti, Macon Construction, Pacific Palisades, Calif. (phase 1) and Ric Babcock, Ric Babcock Construction. Lake Arrowhead, Calif. (phase 2); structural engineer: Parker Resnick, Los Angeles (phase 1) and Gordon Polon, Santa Monica, Calif. (phase 2); landscape architects: Pamela Burton, Burton & Company Landscape Architecture, Santa Monica and Donna West, Donna West Design, Venice, Calif.; project size: 3,880 square feet; construction cost: Withheld; photographer: John Ellis. See page 141 for product information.