Inder and Grietje Verma
Residential Restoration: Reviving a Modernist Legacy

Left to right Mark Stangl, contractor; Sophie Verma Bohl; Inder Verma; Grietje Verma (in front); Matthew Bohl (in back); Marijke Verma Bohl; Simone Verma

FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS, Inder and Grietje Verma lovingly cared for their 1959 home in La Jolla, an elongated wooden box generously lined with windows. Then, they discovered it is an important work by San Diego master architect Sim Bruce Richards, known as the Ostenberg House. Rather than simply updating the much-altered house’s geometric-organic design, they embraced the opportunity to restore its architectural integrity through an extraordinary rehabilitation project. Extraordinary because in the process, they rediscovered, uncovered, and restored many important hallmarks of Richards’s work. Their dedication returned the two-story residence to its original luminous and warmly inviting design, preserving it for many families to come.

Working closely with preservation architect Kim Grant, AIA, and fortuitously guided by the home's original blueprints, the Vermas committed to a complex restoration that honored Richards's distinctive Mid-Century Modern vision. Character-defining features that had been altered or concealed under drywall over the decades were rediscovered and painstakingly restored, such as tongue-and-groove plank ceilings and transom windows.

Also restored: the architect’s signature large window compositions, built-up rafters, custom guardrails, and his iconic custom wood light fixtures. Non-historic additions were removed, original openings reestablished, and surviving historic materials carefully repaired wherever possible. All of the mechanical systems were replaced and upgraded.

Architect Kim Grant faithfully followed the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, demonstrating that thoughtful restoration means preserving original materials whenever feasible, accurately reconstructing lost features when supported by documentation, and clearly distinguishing new work from historic fabric. Every decision, whether made by her or the owners, reflected a commitment to authenticity rather than convenience.

This extensive restoration represents an investment not only in a remarkable home but in San Diego's architectural legacy. Through their vision, patience, and perseverance, the Vermas truly transformed a house that had gradually lost much of its original character into the wood-and-glass gem that again expresses the artistry of Sim Bruce Richards. Their stewardship ensures that this important Mid-Century Modern residence will continue to inspire future generations of residents and architects alike, while enriching the architectural character of its neighborhood and city.

All photos by Kim Grant, except top and center photos by Sandé Lollis. (Left to right, 1-4) 1 and 2 - Before and after photos, looking toward two-story area, note lower-level windows and doors restored per original plans; 3 - Family room porch with original railings restored on adjacent deck; 4 - Restored entry.

Project Team
Architect: Kim Grant Design, INC. | Historian: Kiley Wallace | Contractor: Mark Stangl | Interior Designer: Elizabeth Thiele, Ross Thiele & Son
Landscape Architect: Max Vedder Land Design