
The recreation room was designed to be unobtrusive and preserve the garden. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Sitting inside the recreation room is a calming experience for architect John Bertram (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

A view of the recreation room from the McIntosh House. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
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A view of Richard Neutra’s McIntosh House from the recreation room. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The recreation room is sunk 30 inches into the ground. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Architect John Bertram takes in the views of downtown L.A. from the recreation room’s roof deck. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Bertram worked hard to add a unit that would preserve the yard and not affect his neighbors’ views. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
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Much of the Silver Lake garden remains intact, despite the addition. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Birds and butterflies are drawn to the milkweed and hummingbird sage planted through the garden. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

A view of the recreation room from the garden. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The 12-by-12 rec room is intentionally spare with limited furnishings and accessories. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)