A Symphony in White Oak: Zedd's New House Featured in Architectural Digest
The DJ's 17,500-square-foot home, built by JVE Development Group, hides a subterranean recording studio that he calls the best he's ever worked in
Anton Zaslavski, the Grammy-winning artist known globally as Zedd, has created a 17,500-square-foot sanctuary in Encino, California, where symmetry reigns supreme and white oak defines nearly every surface.
For Zaslavski, symmetry isn't merely aesthetic—it's essential to his wellbeing. This principle guided every decision in his collaboration with designer and developer Jae Omar, transforming what was initially an oversized spec home into a meticulously personalized retreat.
The residence showcases a Japandi aesthetic throughout its well-balanced layout. A western red cedar front door, flanked by floor-to-ceiling glass and framed in travertine, opens into spaces that feel both expansive and intimate. Zaslavski's commitment to visual calm led him to an unusual choice: furnishing almost exclusively with RH pieces to ensure every white oak element matched perfectly. His obsession began with the Cloud sofa and evolved into a year-long process of selecting each rug, table, and chair.
"I didn't want it clashing," Zaslavski explains of his dedication to material consistency. Drawing inspiration from minimalist Japanese design, he theorizes that reducing visual stimuli creates a calmer environment—a philosophy evident in the home's restrained material palette and abstract, textured artwork in neutral tones only.
The Subterranean Studio
The crown jewel sits below ground: a state-of-the-art recording studio occupying the entire 5,000-plus-square-foot basement, replacing the original bowling alley. Zaslavski spent a year collaborating with his brother Arkadi Zaslavski, along with Kyle Mann, Ryan Shanahan, and Hadrien da Souza, to create a comprehensive setup featuring a live room, vocal booth, and two production rooms.
The studio exemplifies Zaslavski's perfectionism—he tested 27 paint samples to achieve the ideal custom evergreen Portola Paints limewash. A La Marzocco Linea Mini espresso machine ensures he never needs to interrupt creative flow. The space now allows him to record everything from drums to vocals without leaving home, which he calls the best studio he's worked in.
Living Spaces
In the kitchen, outfitted with Molteni&C smoked rustic oak cabinetry, Zaslavski assumes the role of "local barista," crafting coffees on his Slayer Steam Single espresso machine for friends seated on RH Jakob Framed Stools. The dining room features a 45-degree angled rustic white oak entry screen that diffuses light beautifully against an exterior waterfall.
The primary suite presented spatial challenges due to its size. Zaslavski solved this by incorporating two irreplaceable pieces from his previous home: a Hästens Vividus bed (so beloved he'll fly home mid-trip to sleep in it) and a semi-gloss Bösendorfer grand piano. The piano, which he practiced on before Coachella, allowed him to fill the expansive cedar-clad bedroom meaningfully while keeping composition tools within reach.
The home theater features charred shou sugi ban wainscoting, dark padded linen walls for acoustics, and naturally, another Cloud daybed. An architectural staircase showcases a custom-built preserved tree by Treescapes, created from napkin sketch to 3D model to final installation piece by piece.
Wellness and Function
A dedicated wellness wing proved essential for Zaslavski's daily routine of cold plunge, weightlifting, and cardio. The wing includes a gym, sauna, contrast therapy pools, and massage room. He converted the original guest house into additional weight training space with aromatic cedar cladding. Omar notes the facilities rival luxury resorts charging thousands per night.
Other personalized touches include transforming the family room into a poker room with an Elevate Customs table, since Zaslavski found the traditional family room/living room separation nonsensical. A bohemian powder room, inspired by a Tulum venue, features 200-year-old solid oak beams, an antique Persian Heriz rug from Mansour, and a cascading Bocci chandelier with succulents in the globes—convincing Zaslavski to embrace bathroom rugs despite initial resistance.
Design Philosophy
The exterior landscape, designed by Fiore Perttula Landscape Design and Leo Estrada, emphasizes oak and olive trees rather than typical Los Angeles palms, creating a forest-like Mediterranean atmosphere Zaslavski prefers. Outside the living room, beneath a cantilevered canopy, RH Olema teak chairs, Java side tables, and a Bahia sofa complete the indoor-outdoor aesthetic.
Zaslavski's closet reflects his practical approach: western red cedar ceiling, abundant natural light, and everything from nine-dollar t-shirts to extensive sneaker collections. "If it's good, I don't care who makes it," he says.
The result is a home where Zaslavski rarely wants to leave. "I can work out at home, I can work from home, and I sleep at home," he explains. "I don't see a reason to ever need to go anywhere. I actually don't want to go on vacation, I just want to be home."
For his first ground-up design attempt, Zaslavski credits the collaborative process with Omar, whose attention to detail matched his own approach to music. "Every single thing matters," he says—a philosophy visible in every beam, board, and barstool throughout the residence.