Step Inside Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis’s Sustainable L.A. Farmhouse

Paquin, of course, is a master of the so-called modern farmhouse, famous for his ability to impress a poetic sense and a bright, contemporary spirit from distilled vernacular forms and rustic materials. The Kutcher/Kunis residence is a testament to his chemical treatment of reclaimed wood, slab-shaped concrete, and glass. “Howard is like a great software designer, someone who treats design as a highlight of the job,” says Kutcher, who has extensive experience in emerging technology. “The software designer wants to get people where they want to go with the fewest clicks. Howard wants to get you where you want to be with the fewest doors and obstacles. He also knows there are certain places where you want a barrier to set the threshold and create a little friction,” Kutcher adds.

For his part, Bakken reciprocates the flattery. “Ashton and Mila are two of the smartest and most curious people we have ever worked with. We talked about everything from beam sizes to cross-beam details to the joints of shingles and concrete. These are not the kinds of conversations we have with every client,” says the architect.

Stephanie Jeroen, Bakken’s colleague, seconded the idea. “They have been there with us, as true members of the design team, for every step of this long and complex process,”
She notes, emphasizing the couple’s commitment to creating a sustainable and caring home for themselves and their two young children, Wyatt and Dimitri. The entire house is powered by photovoltaic cells, hidden from view above the wide porch that extends to one side of the main structure. In fact, a home’s solar array produces much more energy than the property requires, although old municipal codes do not entirely encourage energy sharing—
A situation that homeowners hope will change in the future. Ashton and Mila are concerned about the quality of the soil and the purity of the food they eat and the water they drink. Paquin says that ideals of sustainability and renewable farming are not just abstract concepts for them.

The house’s subtle architectural vocabulary and solid palette provided a springboard for the work of interior designer Vicki Charles of Charles & Company in AD 100, who joined the project upon her exit from her position as global head of design at Soho House. “We were obsessed with Soho Farmhouse and the other projects that Vicky led. We loved the way she blended the fabrics, patterns, and textures—really her entire aesthetics,” Kunis says.