Backen & Backen Architects

• www.backenarch.com
• Established by Howard and Ann Backen. Howard was inducted into AD100 Hall of Fame (2023)
• In business over 26 years, with 300+ upscale homes, 60 wineries, and high-profile retail/resort projects.
• Featured consistently in Architectural Digest’s Top 100, and their 2013 monograph From The Land (Rizzoli) became a bestseller.
• Designed landmark projects like Sundance Institute, Skywalker Ranch, Disney Studios, and biotech of RH and Pottery Barn stores.

Kovac Architects

• www.kovac.studio
• 2025 Residential Architecture Award for the celebrated Strata House in Bel‑Air—praised for its sculptural elegance and seamless integration of indoor‑outdoor living.
• 2022 Luxe RED Award (National Winner) for a dramatic home in La Quinta, lauded in the “Wow‑Factor Room” category.
• TV Appearances: Their projects have appeared on shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm
• Featured in Architectural Digest, California Homes, Dwell, Mansion Global, Mansion Homes, Robb Report, LA Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today Home Magazine (front cover, June 2020), among others.

Timothy Bryant Architects

• www.timothybryant.com
• Winner of multiple preservation and design awards: AIA NY, ASLA NY, Massachusetts Historical Commission, Sarah R. Delano award.
• Published extensively in Architectural Digest, Veranda, Elle Décor, and Period Homes; featured in several architecture books.

Ken Unger, Architect

• www.kenungararchitect.com
• 1994 West Coast Builders Association Gold Nugget Award: Won “Best Home Under 6,000 sq ft” early in their practice.
• 2000 Feature in Log Home Design Ideas magazine: A project called “Sharing the Dream” received coverage.
• TV Appearances: Their projects have appeared on shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm
• Featured in Architectural Digest, California Homes, Dwell, Mansion Global, Mansion Homes, Robb Report, LA Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today Home Magazine (front cover, June 2020), among others.

RIOS

• www.rios.com
• Nearly 100 professional design awards, including prestigious honors like the 2022 ASLA Award of Excellence for Palm Springs Downtown Park and the 2007 AIA California Council Firm Award—underscoring their excellence in architecture and landscape architecture.
• Winner of 2024 American Architecture Awards, earning three separate recognitions in one of the nation’s most prestigious building awards programs.
• Best of Practice Award from The Architect’s Newspaper (2024) in the “Architect (XL Firm) – West” category, celebrating innovative design and community engagement.
• Featured in leading publications, with projects frequently appearing in Architectural Record, Architect’s Newspaper, Fast Company, Landscape Architecture Frontiers, Wall Street Journal, and more—while their work has amassed over a dozen major project awards in 2023 alone.
• Featured in Architectural Digest AD100 (2016).
• Known for dramatic civic and residential designs.
• Clients include Conan O’Brien, Barry Diller, Michael Bay, Eli Broad, Brian Grazer.

MG Partners

• www.mgpartnersinc.com
• Winner of the 2021 Stanford White Award for their Bel Air villa collaboration with Ferguson & Shamamian Architects and Kovac Design Studio, recognizing exceptional new residential construction over 5,000 SF.
• Featured in Architectural Digest for multiple high-profile projects, including the Bel Air villa and Tom Kundig’s “Collywood” residence in West Hollywood.
• Published in major design books, including No Place Like Home by Madeline Stuart and Collaborations by Ferguson & Shamamian, highlighting their craftsmanship on elite residences.
• Showcased in Traditional Building Magazine, underlining their expertise in fine craftsmanship and classical detailing for high-end custom homes.
• Trusted by world-class architects such as Ferguson & Shamamian, Kovac Design Studio, and Tom Kundig/Olson Kundig, reinforcing their reputation as a premier luxury residential builder.

Sutton Suzuki Architects 

• www.suttonsuzuki.com
• Known for award-winning custom residential design emphasizing environmental integration and sustainability.
• Featured in Architectural Digest, California Home & Design, Sunset Magazine, Marin Magazine, Dream Home Magazine, Luxury Home Magazine, and more.
• Received Gold Award for custom home over 5,000 sq ft (2002), Remodeling Magazine’s Grand Award (1998), and multiple Houzz awards.

Olson Kundig

• olsonkundig.com
• Seattle-based, founded by Jim Olson, joined by Tom Kundig.
• Featured in Architectural Digest AD100 (2014).
• Jim Olson authored Building, Nature, Art.
• Tom Kundig won AIA Seattle Gold Medal (2018).

Donaldson & Partners

• www.donaldsonplus.com
• Award-winning firm based in Santa Barbara/LA, established in 1991 by Robin Donaldson and Russell Shubin.
• Received prestigious AIA California Council Design Awards, notable for commercial, corporate, and residential projects.
• High-profile projects include the Google Campus in Mountain View, Mercato on the Bay, and Solimar Beach House.

Peck Architectural (Peck Architecture | Structural | Civil)

• cmpeck.com
• Featured in Luxe Interiors + Design and Dezeen.
• Winner of multiple regional awards: 2021 AIALA Design Award of Merit for structural work and 2021 LA Business Council Housing Award.
• Published in top-tier outlets like Architectural Digest, Dwell, Sunset Magazine, and the LA Times .
• Earned historic preservation accolades (e.g., Pasadena Preservation Award 2017) and a LEED Gold project.

 391 North Carolwood Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90210

Architectural Significance

• Architect: Designed by George Washington Smith, a prominent architect known for his Spanish Colonial Revival style.
• Gardens: Landscaped by A.E. Hansen, contributing to the estate’s historical value.
• Historical Context: The estate was originally constructed in 1926, reflecting the architectural trends of that era.
• Preservation: The property has been carefully preserved and expanded, maintaining its original details from the 1920s.

Architectural Recognition

• AIA Los Angeles Design Awards: While specific awards for this property are not documented, the AIA Los Angeles Design Awards recognize built projects that exemplify innovation, sustainability, and design excellence. aialosangeles.org+1instagram.com+1
• Architectural Digest: The estate has been featured in publications like Haute Residence, highlighting its status and design. estately.com+4hauteresidence.com+4hauteresidence.com+4

Media Coverage

• Haute Residence: Featured in an article titled “A Hollywood Legacy Changes Hands: Inside The $86 Million Former Home of Rod Stewart,” emphasizing its historical and architectural significance. hauteresidence.com+1hauteresidence.com+1

Redfin: Describes the property as a “Legendary Spanish Villa” with original details from the 1920s, indicating its preservation and architectural value. redfin.com+3carolwoodre.com+3

Kutcher/Kunis Residence

Architectural Digest – June 2021 Cover Story

• Dubbed “KuKu Farms”, the six‑acre contemporary farmhouse was the cover story in the June 2021 issue of Architectural Digest samcramiam.com+11californiaenergydesigns.com+11hommes.studio+11.

• The magazine highlighted its use of reclaimed wood, board‑form concrete, expansive glass, and fully integrated solar photovoltaics—emphasizing its modern sustainability idesignarch.com+4californiaenergydesigns.com+4architecturaldigest.com+4.

1301 Collingwood Place (“Collywood”) 

• A striking 15,600 sq ft residence overlooking the Sunset Strip, completed after a six‑year design/build period YouTube+8If It’s Hip, It’s Here+8MO Design+8Carolwood Estates+1Instagram+1. Nicknamed the “Bond House of the Future,” it’s been featured by real estate platforms like The Beverly Hills Estates and The Real Deal The Beverly Hills Estates | 310.626.4248+2The Beverly Hills Estates | 310.626.4248+2If It’s Hip, It’s Here+2.

• Acclaimed Firm Awards – Olson Kundig, founded in 1966, received the prestigious 2009 AIA Architecture Firm Award olsonkundig.com+8Wikipedia+8The Beverly Hills Estates | 310.626.4248+8. The firm ranks as an Architectural Digest AD100 honoree (11th consecutive time as of 2024) Wikipedia.

• Tom Kundig Honors – Kundig himself has earned top industry honors, including:

  • 2008 National Design Award in Architecture (Cooper‑Hewitt)

  • 2007 American Academy of Arts & Letters architecture award

  • Multiple AIA and Chicago Athenaeum awards for projects like Delta Shelter, Art Stable, Outpost, and others Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1Wikipedia.