MODERN FINDS BABY BOOMERS REDISCOVER THEIR MIDCENTURY ROOTS IN CLASSIC POSTWAR ARCHITECTURE.Byline: Barbara De Witt De Witt, uninc. town (1990 pop. 8,244), Onondaga co., central N.Y., a residential suburb of Syracuse. Staff Writer Spaceship shapes with redwood beams, glass and steel boxes, flat-roofed homes with cement slab foundations and sliding glass doors to bring in the outdoors. These are the signatures of a small group of architects, such as Rudolph Schindler This article is about the doctor Rudolph Schindler. For the architect, see Rudolf Schindler. Rudolph Schindler (1888-1968) was a German doctor widely regarded as the "father of [the field of] gastroscopy. and Richard Neutra Richard Joseph Neutra (April 8, 1892 – April 16, 1970) is considered one of modernism's most important architects. Neutra was born in Vienna, Austria in 1892. He studied under Adolf Loos, was influenced by Otto Wagner, and worked for a time in Germany in the studio of , who introduced their take on midcentury modernism and created distinctly California structures that today's preservationists and homeowners have come to cherish. Throughout the '40s, '50s and early '60s these homes were advertised for less than $10,000. Even with minimal accouterments ac·cou·ter·ment or ac·cou·tre·ment n. 1. An accessory item of equipment or dress. Often used in the plural. 2. Military equipment other than uniforms and weapons. Often used in the plural. 3. , they're now worth up to $600,000. Maybe millions, if designed by a top architect in a desirable neighborhood. The San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. , which Lloyds of London Lloyds of London A marketplace in London for underwriting syndicates. described in 1950 as the fastest-growing area in the world, was the center of the post-World War II housing boom, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a report by Mary-Margaret Stratton for the Los Angeles Conservancy The Los Angeles Conservancy is the preeminent historic preservation organization in Los Angeles, California. It works to document, rescue and revitalize historic buildings, places and neighborhoods in the city. . Once filled with orange and walnut orchards and chicken ranches, the Valley was quickly transformed by developers into a sea of modestly priced modern homes to accommodate the influx of GIs who came West. ``Rudolph Schindler is certainly one of the major inspirations of the California-style home because so many things he did in the Schindler House The Schindler House, also known as the Kings Road House or Schindler Chace house, is a house in West Hollywood, California designed by architect Rudolf Schindler. The Schindler House is considered to be the first modern house built in the world. (built in 1921 in West Hollywood West Hollywood A community of southern California northeast of Beverly Hills. It is mainly residential. Population: 36,600. ) became the standards for postwar homes, such as bringing the outdoors in and treating gardens as if they were outdoor rooms,'' says Katie Klapper, spokeswoman for the MAK Mak Falstaffian figure; categorically maintains his innocence. [Br. Lit.: The Second Shepherds’ Play] See : Deceit Mak sheep stealer succeeds by waiting till the shepherds fall asleep. [Br. Lit. Center for Art and Architecture and Schindler House. Some of Schindler's best students were perhaps Dan Palmer and William Krisel, who designed the Northridge West tract in 1956, featuring galley kitchens, slight A-shaped roofs with gravel on them and fireplaces made with concrete blocks. ``They (Palmer and Krisel) were pioneers of designing tract homes with architectural quality, who took advantage of the California climate and allowed house and environment to blend without chopping down the trees, which so many of the developers did in the San Fernando Valley,'' recalls Julius Shulman Julius Shulman, (born October 10, 1910) is an American architectural photographer best known for his photograph "Case Study House #22, Los Angeles, 1960. Pierre Koenig, Architect." The house is also known as The Stahl House. , who has photographed some of the country's best-known examples of architecture. Worth the view Housing developer Joseph Eichler Joseph Eichler (1900 - 1974) was a California-based, post-war residential real estate developer known for building homes in the Modernist style. Between 1950 and 1974, his company, Eichler Homes, built over 11,000 homes in Northern California and three communities in Southern was influenced by Schindler and Neutra. His Balboa Highlands tract, which was designed in Granada Hills in 1963 by architects A. Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons, features Neutra's redwood ceilings and also sliding glass doors that open onto an atrium in the center of the floor plan. ``When we bought our house in Granada Hills in 1995 we thought it was a monstrosity monstrosity 1. great congenital deformity. 2. a monster or teratism. and it's still a work in progress, but all the work has been been worth it since we discovered the original floor plan, which showed it was an Eichler home,'' says Adriene Biondo, who lives with her husband, John Eng, in the Balboa Highlands tract. ``The homes are not known for having curb appeal, but when people walk in they always exclaim ex·claim v. ex·claimed, ex·claim·ing, ex·claims v.intr. To cry out suddenly or vehemently, as from surprise or emotion: The children exclaimed with excitement. v. over the atrium and the view ... and now I'm an advocate of postwar modern architecture.'' Biondo has not only helped with the research of the new book ``Eichler: Modernism Rebuilds the American Dream American dream also American Dream n. An American ideal of a happy and successful life to which all may aspire: ,'' but is now spearheading an effort to turn the neighborhood's remaining 108 homes into a Historic Preservation Historic preservation is the act of maintaining and repairing existing historic materials and the retention of a property's form as it has evolved over time. When considering the United States Department of Interior's interpretation: "Preservation calls for the existing form, Overlay Zone. ``There are about 19 neighborhoods with this status, but mostly they are Craftsman bungalows in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , so we would be the first in the San Fernando Valley,'' Biondo says. The project began a few years ago with a meeting of the homeowners, who had to agree to the rules of the zone program, which state that the exteriors cannot be altered so as to protect the integrity of the architecture. It was a challenge to get a majority vote, as some homes have fallen into disrepair and others have been changed beyond recognition, but the group was swayed by the idea of neighborhood pride. The petition may be approved and made official by 2004. In addition to promoting the entire neighborhood, Biondo and her husband have been busy with the restoration of their own home. They've replaced the '70s wrought iron gates with a wooden door with rippled glass panels on each side that now looks like the original design and also ripped out the Spanish tiles in the atrium and replaced them with concrete tiles. Then they took off the faux stone siding and put back the milled wood sheeting they have painted a soft green to match their vintage car, which also has been lovingly restored. Although they laid a pale oak floor in the living room, the old-fashioned linoleum linoleum (lĭnō`lēəm), resilient floor or wall covering made of burlap, canvas, or felt, surfaced with a composition of wood flour, oxidized linseed oil, gums or other ingredients, and coloring matter. and gold-glitter-specked counter tops are still there as a reminder of the past, when pool parties were popular and everybody crowded onto the sectional sofa to watch TV. The photographer Shulman, with the help of Woodbury University, where he lectures, is also promoting a new look at postwar modernism. His idea - Case Study II - is inspired by the original Case Study project launched by John Entenza of Arts & Architecture magazine in 1945. It was a series of ultra low-cost prototype homes designed by a number of leading architects of the day, including Raphael Soriano, who built Shulman's home at the top of Mulholland Drive. ``Unlike the first homes, Case Study II homes would be built by young architects and students and we're looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. someone to underwrite the program,'' says Shulman, whose Julius Shulman Institute at Woodbury would be guided by the original Case Study mandate, which stated that the best materials available would be used to arrive at solutions for affordable housing. What's also different, says Shulman, is this next wave of modernism would address current societal patterns, such as the needs of an aging population, increased percentage of single heads of household and nontraditional, multigenerational mul·ti·gen·er·a·tion·al adj. Of or relating to several generations: multigenerational family traditions. families. And, hopefully, they would offer more privacy than the original designs. MIDCENTURY MODERNISM TOUR What: Bus tour led by artist David Reed and architect John August Reed sponsored by the MAK Center at Schindler House, 835 N. Kings Road, West Hollywood. When: June 14. Tickets: $25. Call (323) 651-1510. New books on '50s modernism To learn more about midcentury homes and the architects who made them famous, go to www.greatbuildings.com and www.archinform.net, and make room on your book shelf for these new resources: ``Eichler: Modernism Rebuilds the American Dream'' (Gibbs Smith; $50) by California architect Paul Adamson. This coffee table book features nearly 300 black-and-white photographs, with an insider's look at the legacy of Joseph Eichler, the renowned developer whose midcentury tract homes can be found throughout California, including Granada Hills. ``Marcel Sedletzky: Architect and Teacher'' (Wild Coast Press and University of California, Santa Cruz The University of California, Santa Cruz, also known as UC Santa Cruz or UCSC, is a public, collegiate university, one of the ten campuses of the University of California. , Library; $50) by San Francisco private investigator Bill Staggs. This hefty book is an in-depth study of 14 homes along the Central California coast designed by the Russian-born Sedletzky, who was inspired by Schindler and Neutra and the Case Study Houses The Case Study Houses were experiments in residential architecture sponsored by John Entenza's (later David Travers') Arts & Architecture magazine, which commissioned major architects of the day, including Richard Neutra, Raphael Soriano, Craig Ellwood, Charles and Ray Eames, Program. Although he lived and worked in Los Angeles in the '50s, he only drew plans for one house in the area and it was never built. ``Ranch House Style'' (Clarkson Potter; $37.50) by Katherine Ann Samfon, a writer who lives in a ranch house in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of . Although the San Fernando Valley is filled with midcentury tract homes with a ranch flavor, the author convinces us that many of those open, flowing floor plans and sliding glass patio doors reflect the modern themes of American architectural icons such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Charles Eames. Best of all, she shows readers how to restore the charm of ranch homes with tips on furnishings, paint color and landscaping. ``Modern Essentials'' (Soma soma (sō`mə), psychotropic plant, the juice of which was sometimes drunk as part of the Vedic sacrifice (see Veda). Many hymns in the Rig-Veda are in praise of soma. ; $24.95) by Rozemarijn de Witte, former editor in chief of the Dutch magazine VT Vonen and author of numerous interior design books. For those fortunate enough to have a midcentury modern home, de Witte shows you how to decorate with authority and authenticity. ``Private Landscapes: Modern Gardens in Southern California'' (Princeton Architectural Press; $40) by L.A. architect Pamela Burton and interior designer Marie Botnick, who recently restored a Richard Neutra residence in Los Angeles. Midcentury modern architects such as Richard Neutra, Rudolph Schindler, Gregory Ain, Raphael Soriano and others saw the garden as an outdoor extension of the space of the houses they designed, and many of those gardens were noted for low-maintenance and drought-resistant plants. The authors show you how to re-create that look with newly commissioned photographs by Julius Shulman, as well as plans and plant lists. - Barbara De Witt The top 5 players Rudolph Schindler Background: Pioneer of the ``California'' house, with custom homes throughout Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Landmark locations: Kings Road House (also known as the Schindler House) (1921), Mackey Apartments (1939-40), Tischler House (1949-50). Trademarks: Interlocking interlocking /in·ter·lock·ing/ (-lok´ing) closely joined, as by hooks or dovetails; locking into one another. interlocking Obstetrics A rare complication of vaginal delivery of twins; the 1st geometric scheme, concrete and redwood, sliding glass doors and a ``floating in the trees'' appearance. Richard Neutra Background: Apprenticed with Frank Lloyd Wright before designing his own custom-built homes that influenced Valley tracts. Landmark locations: Van Cleff House (1942) in Westwood, the Lovell House in Los Feliz (1929), the Neutra House in Silver Lake (1964). Also Kester Avenue Elementary School in Sherman Oaks. Trademarks: Strong interior colors, multilevels, redwood ceilings. Joseph Eichler Background: The California tract king of the late '40s, this developer employed a variety of now-famous architectural teams to create affordable postwar housing. Landmark locations: El Centro Gardens by Ashen ash·en 1 adj. 1. Consisting of ashes. 2. Resembling ashes, especially in color; very pale: A face ashen with grief. and Allen in Palo Alto and Balboa Highlands by A. Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons in Granada Hills (1963). Trademarks: Atriums, sliding glass doors, cement slab foundations, tar and gravel roofs, built-in kitchens. One of the first developers to sell to minorities. John Lautner Background: Studied with Frank Lloyd Wright before designing buildings for movie sets, commercial buildings and custom homes. Landmark locations: Googie's Coffee Shops, Bob Hope's Palm Springs home and the Chemosphere chemosphere: see atmosphere. in Hollywood Hills (1960). Trademarks: Space-age looks with geometric roof lines, concrete columns and walls of glass. Cliff May Background: A modernist architect who became the father of the California ranch house. Drew inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright and haciendas. He also was the developer of more than 18,000 postwar homes. Landmark locations: First ranch home built in San Diego (1932), Sunset magazine's corporate offices in Menlo Park (1950), the Cliff May Houses on Old Ranch Road in Brentwood (1950). Trademarks: Affordable single-story homes with raised ceilings and exposed beams, wide driveways, outdoor terraces with pools. - Barbara De Witt CAPTION(S): 8 photos, 4 boxes, map Photo: (1 -- cover - color) How MODERN is your Valley? Midcentury architecture looking hipper - and more valuable - than ever (2 -- color) Adriene Biondo relaxes in her Granada Hills home, designed by Joseph Eichler in 1963. Biondo's house (also pictured on the cover) and others like it in the Balboa Highlands tract are known for their centrally situated atriums. (3 -- 4) Architectural photographer Julius Shulman, above, shot many homes in the Valley that feature the distinctive modern look - including the spaceship-like Chemosphere House in Studio City, seen next to him, and singer Andy Williams' Woodland Hills residence, left. Tina Burch/Staff Photographer Julius Shulman (5 -- 8 -- color) DRIVING TOURS Staff Photos by Tina Burch, Gus Ruelas, Charlotte Schmid-Maybach Box: (1) DRIVING TOURS Warren Huskey/Staff Artist (2) MIDCENTURY MODERNISM TOUR (see text) (3) New books on '50s modernism (see text) (4) The top 5 players (see text) Map: DRIVING TOURS Warren Huskey/Staff Artist |
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