California Dreaming | A Dream Home in Malibu by Frank Gehry

In 1968, when Frank Gehry started designing a combined studio and residence in Malibu, he was considered a revolutionary architect known for his innovative use of materials, texture and form. Today, Gehry has designed a plethora of the most significant contemporary buildings in the world and is known as the most important architect of our age according to Vanity Fair. Thanks to the wonderful Architectural Digest, we can take a look inside the corrugated-metal art residence that he created some 47 years ago.

These photographs show the residence while it was owned by the actor Patrick Dempsey, – he has since moved on with the property taken off the market just 14 days after listing.

Measuring 5,550 square feet, and sitting on 3.2 acres of land with ocean views, it’s not hard to imagine why this “tin house” was so sought after. It has a rock-climbing wall, raised-bed gardens, a pool (natch) as well as a four-stall barn with pasture plus a chicken coop/animal hutches.

“We were looking for a little land and space, and a house with some architectural significance,” the Grey’s Anatomy star recalled of their search back in 2009.

“The exterior’s simplicity appealed to me, and the inside felt very expansive and calming. Everywhere you looked there was something visually pleasing.”

The entrance to the property has a huge centre-pivoted door and just inside the front door there is an amazing light sculpture by Robert Irwin which according to the interview Dempsey gave to Architectural Digest “pops and sizzles when you turn it on, and the light levels continually change, so you feel like you’re having a dialogue with it,” the actor says. “It’s a lot like the house itself, which pops and cracks throughout the day as the temperature changes, as if it were speaking to you. The whole place really is a work of art.”

Interior designer and fashion stylist Estee Stanley was hired by the Dempseys to add a level of homliness to the residence – a key consideration for the couple who moved in with their 3 children and French bulldog.

Selecting a mix of antique and vintage pieces as well as an incredible array of artwork has helped to create a space that is welcoming, contemporary and personal. We love the logs in the sitting area – these were incorporated to help with absorbing some of the noise in the open plan space.

Although the kitchen is comparatively compact for an American home, it has a cool industrial feel with a reclaimed wood and metal frame island and thick concrete worktops.

Perfect for entertaining, the outdoor area has and outdoor seating area with a huge dining area ideal for hosting family and friends.

If you’d like to see Patrick Dempsey talking about his experience of living in Tin House and a behind the scenes peek at the Architectural Digest shoot, take a look at the video below:

Images credits: Photography by Roger Davies, styling by Carlos Mota).