From 747 To Malibu Residence

We'd met the architect at a Green building conference at UCLA. His project du jour, he explained, was to turn an old 747 plane into a sweeping abode on the hills of Malibu. 4.5 million 747 parts later, the house is actually taking shape, as Inhabitat reports.

The client "wanted curvilinear 'feminine' shapes, and imagined a kind of floating roof set among the hills," writes Inhabitat. "An airplane wing sprang to architect David Hertz’s mind. The found shapes of the aircraft paradoxically echoed the indigenous feel [of the rugged terrain, and the previous landowner's hobby building structures from found objects.]" Add the symbolism of obsolescence and ephemeral nature of technology in our society, and that, as a giant aluminium can, the airplane is a metaphor for recycling, and voilà. "Design-wise, planes also maximize space while minimizing materials," adds Hertz.

When it comes to residential construction, Southern California is like a wacky, futuristic lab filled with designers all more creative and ingenious than the other. A place where the craziest dreams can be, and are, built. This project is no exception. More details here.
UPDATE 07/13/11: Architect David Hertz's interview [Inhabitat]
UPDATE 09/23/11: Malibu House Made Out of Whole 747 is Finished [Curbed LA]
images via David Hertz Architects