Bailey House (Los Angeles)
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (March 2020) |
The Bailey House, Case Study House #21 | |
Los Angeles, California | |
Coordinates | 34°07′00″N 118°23′30″W / 34.116634°N 118.391623°W |
---|---|
Built | 1959 |
Architect | Pierre Koenig |
Architectural style | Modern |
NRHP reference No. | 13000518[1] |
LAHCM No. | 669 |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | July 24, 2013 |
Designated LAHCM | November 9, 1999 |
The Bailey House, or Case Study House #21, is a steel-framed modernist house in the Hollywood Hills, designed by Pierre Koenig. It was registered as Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #669, with the endorsement of then-owner Michael LaFetra, the Los Angeles Conservancy, and Pierre and Gloria Koenig.
The Case Study House Program
In January 1945
The highly publicized program ran from 1945 to 1964, spanning thirty-six individual designs, many of which were never constructed. The initial program announcement stated that "each house must be capable of duplication and in no sense be an individual performance" and that "the overall program will be general enough to be of practical assistance to the average American in search of a home in which he can afford to live."
After returning from four years of fighting in WWII, Pierre Koenig was introduced to the CSHP through the ongoing publication of the
Koenig's first involvement with the Case Study House Program occurred while working in the office of
Koenig's hands-on experience with steel construction and his mastery of the new arc welding process on the San Mateo house would prove influential for the rest of his architectural career. Entenza saw great potential in Koenig's design work of the time and offered him a tentative invitation to participate in the CSHP when he "found the right house and the right client." This period marked the beginning of what historian Esther McCoy would later identify as the second phase of the Case Study House Program, represented by "a concerted effort… to bring architecture into relationship with the machine."
The Bailey Commission
In early 1957 psychologist Walter Bailey and his wife Mary commissioned Pierre Koenig to design a 1,200-1,300 square foot house upon a level site nestled within a Hollywood Hills canyon. The Baileys were later described in Arts & Architecture magazine as a "contemporary-minded" couple with no children and an informal lifestyle. This represented the ideal program for Koenig to realize steel framings potential to achieve a truly open plan design that capitalized upon the vast spans that steel facilitated.
By May 1958 Koenig had completed his
Publication
In February 1959 Case Study House #21 was published in Arts & Architecture and was lauded as "some of the cleanest and most immaculate thinking in the development of the small contemporary house." As was standard for all CSHP participants, the house was opened to the public for several weeks of viewing.
A year later in 1960, a
Nearly thirty years later in 1989 Shulman's photographs of the Case Study Houses were exhibited at the
Significant alterations
About 1969 Dr. and Mrs. Bailey relocated to the
In the 1980s Koenig's original
In 1997 an admirer of Julius Shulman's photography, film producer Dan Cracchiolo expressed interest in the Bailey House after seeing some of Shulman's photographs. He made an offer on the property of $1.5 million. The offer was accepted and Cracchiolo immediately commissioned Pierre Koenig to assist with ‘resuscitating’ the original design.
The meticulous
Cracchiolo was not content with a purely architectural restoration and pursued reinstatement of the original
In a July 1999 Architectural Digest article describing the restoration process Cracchiolo acknowledged feeling "an edgy ambivalence between wanting, on the one hand, to restore Case Study #21 to its original condition of fifties ‘purity’ and, on the other to allow more expression of his own nineties needs and tastes." One example he describes is his desire to display books rather than leaving the walls as pure and bare as the original Shulman photographs depict. In 2001 Pierre Koenig received the City of Los Angeles historic Preservation 2000 Award of excellence for his beautiful restoration of the Bailey House.
Shortly after publication of the Architectural Digest article a film producer named Michael LaFetra who had been looking for modern architecture properties came across the article and resolved to purchase the property. It came on the market shortly after and LaFetra’s offer was accepted. Within a week of the purchase LaFetra received a phone message from Pierre Koenig stating: "Hello, this is Pierre, your architect, and I want to talk." Soon after LaFetra was told by Koenig that "he ought not to have to change anything in the house but, if he needed to, he should get in touch with him."
Soon after a friendship began and by 2000 LaFetra had commissioned Koenig to design a new home for him on a
Current condition
In July 2006, Julius Shulman (at age 95) was invited to revisit Case Study House #21 to photograph it in its modern condition for the catalog of an upcoming
Shulman's latest photographs offer a unique glimpse into the precision of Koenig's restoration. Although Koenig's completed house is nearly exact to the original design, subtle changes are present. Among these are a slightly altered tiling layout for the inner courtyard wall and a more elaborate fountain mechanism below. The can-like lights that are present throughout the space appear to have a darkened patina applied as compared to the original lacquered fixtures. Additionally, Cracchiolo apparently requested the introduction of semi-translucent glass on the bathroom walls for increased privacy.
In November 2016, the home went up for sale at a price of $4.5 million.[2] It wound up selling for $3.26 million in February 2019 to Alison Sarofim, who began another renovation project later that year. Soil under the home's foundation had subsided and Mark Haddaway was brought in stabilize the residence and prevent further slippage.[3]
Description
In describing his concept for Case Study House #21, Koenig stated "I was trying to develop" 1,300 square feet (120 m2) "in an efficient, social, and exciting plan that people could afford… I had thrown out all conventional thought because I had no patience with anything that had been done before." The Case Study program called for the design of mass-producible prototypes and Koenig appears to have accomplished this while adequately addressing site-specific factors.
CSH #21 is arranged along a north–south axis with a carport on the North side and a fully glazed South side to take advantage of the best view and maximum sunlight for winter months. Koenig opted for a compressed L-shaped plan to establish a linear progression from the carport and entry through the living space and out to the garden. This compression is achieved by opaque, steel decking walls blocking the unattractive views towards the "scrubby hillside" on the West and Wonderland Park Avenue on the East.
The main house is a 30 by 44 feet (9.1 m × 13.4 m) rectangular plan with a solid rectangular core housing the utilities – two full bathrooms and a mechanical room. Beyond this core lay two efficiently arranged bedrooms. The threshold through this interior courtyard/core provides increased privacy (visually and acoustically) for the bedrooms. By designing a central service core Koenig simplified the language of the perimeter condition to either standard sized sliding glass doors or opaque steel walls. The simplicity of the material vocabulary is what John Entenza found most appealing. When first visiting the house he described it as "a very pristine, clean design. Two details, one north–south, one east–west. One material for the roof, same one for the walls. Minimal house, maximum space."
The steel framing system of the house is composed of four prefabricated steel bents 44 feet (13 m) wide and 9 feet (2.7 m) high, forming the interior of the house. In addition, three half-span bents are used to frame the covered carport. Koenig specified identical structure to the houses he worked on with Soriano and Jones – 8-inch (200 mm) I-section beams and 4-inch (100 mm) H-section columns. Rather than use a standardized 8’ dimension, Koenig opted for a 10 feet (3.0 m) spacing between bents for economy and to streamline the overall structure. Koenig frequently stated, "Steel is only as good as its detailing. In order to make exposed steel acceptable in the living room it must be so well detailed that the joining connections are imperceptible."
Indicative of the changing context, the property is now surrounded by tall trees and shrubbery, replacing what was once a grand view to the south. This is clearly an adaptation to achieve greater privacy within the now densely populated Hollywood Hills canyon. As an article in House Beautiful magazine described, today "the building’s defiant simplicity stands in stark contrast to the fussy over-scaled residences that sit high on the hills behind it."
Evaluation
Technical
The rigidity of the steel framing provided sufficient lateral stability in the east–west direction, and the welding of channels to the top and base of each columns provided additional strength in the north–south direction for resistance to seismic forces and wind loads. These expressed elements unify the building aesthetically and structurally.
Koenig made use of the sandwiched steel decking walls to conceal
The furnace in utility core supplies heat to the main space through
The circulation of pond water up to the gutters and back down through the roof scuppers represents an early experiment with environmental control systems. As
Social
Although architects of the second phase of the Case Study House Program never gave up their belief in the potential of steel framing for residential construction, the public never embraced the material. As Elizabeth A. T. Smith explained: "Unfortunately, the economic pressures of the era were pushing residential construction another way, to accommodate the merchant builders working to deskill building tradesman and architects, and to glorify the add-ons and fix-ups of Mr. Homeowner and Mrs. Consumer, the stock characters of American advertising lobbying of the 1920s and 30s." Although they imagined factory-based industrial materials could be more economical then traditional wood framing, this was never realized. As such steel-framing faced social and economical obstacles. In the end, the Levittown paradigm would dominate America's mass housing strategy in the post-war era.
Cultural and aesthetic
By painting the walls and ceiling white and maintaining the factory-applied charcoal Perma-Bar sealer coating on the steel, Koenig created visual emphasis on the structural skeleton. By expressing the volume as a simple box without overhangs Koenig underscored the simplicity of the rectangular forms and achieved an understated elegance.
The fully glazed North and South walls blur the interior and exterior – a common goal of the Case Study Houses. Describing the aesthetic goals of the movement Koenig would later explain: "We moved garages to the front and living rooms to the back to put them closer to the yard… We used steel, which in addition to being economical gave us a different living environment. It opened up the plan, letting us use more glass to create more light, which helped heighten the relationship of the interior to the exterior."
Koenig's inclusion of the ponds around the perimeter of the house allows the structure to read as if it is floating. As Elizabeth A.T. Smith described in Blueprints for Modern Living, "reflections of trees and sky intermingled on the water’s surface with the pure lines of the house’s contour…humanized through the merging of the technological with the natural."
Historical
Although CSH #22 is more recognizable, CSH#21 is arguably the finest example of Pierre Koenig's steel-framed houses. It is widely considered to represent the highest point of the Case Study House Program's success. As Neil Jackson stated in his monograph of Koenig, "The Bailey House represents the ultimate refinement of an ideal developed by Koenig in his early houses and built upon through his experience with Soriano and Quincy Jones. It was the simplest of solutions achieved in, apparently, the most effortless way and was a remarkable achievement for such a young man."
David Hay summarized the original and continuing importance of the house, stating "Back then, Case Study House 21 was a brilliant response to the design spirit prevalent in Los Angeles — "be modern, be decisive." Now in its restored state, it is a powerful reminder of a time in southern California when architecture insisted on invention."
See also
References
- ^ National Register of Historic Places Nomination
- ^ Zap, Claudine (November 3, 2016). "Rare Air: Case Study House Hits the Market in Los Angeles for $4.5M". Realtor.com.
- ^ Barragan, Bianca (July 23, 2019). "Thorough restoration—not demolition—underway on Case Study House No. 21". Curbed.
Further reading
This section may contain embedded lists. by removing items or incorporating them into the text of the article. (August 2023) |
- Banham, Reyner, and Thomas Hine. Blueprints for Modern Living : History and Legacy of the Case Study Houses. Ed. Elizabeth A.T. Smith. New York: MIT P, 1999.
- Brown, Eryn (4 August 2005). "A Modern dream come true: Michael LaFetra is passionate about restoring 20th century classics, but his latest project is something new: building Pierre Koenig's last design ERYN BROWN Special to The Times". Los Angeles Times. p. F1. ProQuest 2186042066, 422057434.
- Cary. "Pierre Koenig House Going Once, Going Twice." 18 Oct. 2006. Curbed Los Angeles. 10 Feb. 2009. < http://la.curbed.com/archives/2006/10/pierre_koenig_h.php>.
- Cooper, Gail. Air-Conditioning America : Engineers and the Controlled Environment, 1900–1960. New York: Johns Hopkins UP, 1998.
- Entenza, John, ed. "Case Study House No. 21." Arts & Architecture Feb. 1959: 18–25.
- Entenza, John, ed. "The Case Study House Program Announcement." Arts & Architecture Jan. 1945: 37–39.
- Hay, David (1 October 1998). "Returning to the scene". House Beautiful. pp. 108–110.
- Hines, Thomas S (July 1999). "Case study gem in Los Angeles: a Pierre Koenig masterpiece saved by Matrix coproducer Dan Cracchiolo". Architectural Digest. pp. 104–111.
- Jackson, Neil. Pierre Koenig : 1925-2005: Living with Steel. Los Angeles: Taschen, 2007.
- McCoy, Esther. Case Study Houses, 1945–1962. Danbury: Hennessey & Ingalls, Incorporated, 1977.
- MT. "L.A. Utopia: Pierre Koenig Finally Gets His Close-Up." L'Uomo Vogue Mar. 2007.
- Elizabeth A. T. Smith |Smith, Elizabeth A.T. Case Study Houses : 1945-1966: the California Impetus. Los Angeles: TASCHEN, 2006.
- Steele, James, and David Jenkins. Pierre Koenig. New York: Phaidon P, 2002.
- Stukin, Stacie (7 October 2007). "Safe Houses". The New York Times.
- Wright 20 Auction House. Pierre Koenig: Case Study House #21, Los Angeles 1958. Brochure. Chicago: Author, 2006.
- Wright, Richard. "Pierre Koenig - Case Study House #21 - Los Angeles 1958 - Catalog Description." Brochure for Auction of CSH #21. 03 Dec. 2006. Wright 20 Auction House. 8 Feb. 2009.
- Brown, Eryn. "ARCHITECTURE; A Modern dream come true; Michael LaFetra is passionate about restoring 20th century classics, but his latest project is something new: building Pierre Koenig's last design :[HOME EDITION]. " Los Angeles Times [Los Angeles, Calif.]
- Hay, David. "Returning to the scene. " House Beautiful 1 Oct. 1998: 108–110.
- Case Study House Program Announcement
- Hines, Thomas S. "Case study gem in Los Angeles: a Pierre Koenig masterpiece saved by Matrix coproducer Dan Cracchiolo." Architectural Digest July 1999: 104–11.
- Jackson, Neil. Pierre Koenig : 1925-2005: Living with Steel. Los Angeles: TASCHEN, 2007. p. 27
- Steele, James, and David Jenkins. Pierre Koenig. New York: Phaidon P, 2002. p. 48
- Banham, Reyner, and Thomas Hine. Blueprints for Modern Living : History and Legacy of the Case Study Houses. Ed. Elizabeth A.T.
- Smith. New York: MIT P, 1999. p. 69
- Jackson, Neil. Pierre Koenig : 1925-2005: Living with Steel. Los Angeles: TASCHEN, 2007. p. 27
- Banham, Reyner, and Thomas Hine. Blueprints for Modern Living : History and Legacy of the Case Study Houses. Ed. Elizabeth A.T.
- Smith. New York: MIT P, 1999. p. 246
- Steele, James, and David Jenkins. Pierre Koenig. New York: Phaidon P, 2002. p. 48
- MT. "L.A. Utopia: Pierre Koenig Finally Gets His Close-Up." L'Uomo Vogue Mar. 2007.
- Hines, Thomas S. "Case study gem in Los Angeles: a Pierre Koenig masterpiece saved by Matrix coproducer Dan Cracchiolo."
- Architectural Digest July 1999: 104–11.
- Hay, David. "Returning to the scene. " House Beautiful 1 Oct. 1998: 108–110.
- Hines, Thomas S. "Case study gem in Los Angeles: a Pierre Koenig masterpiece saved by Matrix coproducer Dan Cracchiolo."
- Architectural Digest July 1999: 104–11.
- Hay, David. "Returning to the scene. " House Beautiful 1 Oct. 1998: 108–110.
- Hines, Thomas S. "Case study gem in Los Angeles: a Pierre Koenig masterpiece saved by Matrix coproducer Dan Cracchiolo."
- Architectural Digest July 1999: 104–11.
- Hay, David. "Returning to the scene. " House Beautiful 1 Oct. 1998: 108–110.
- Hines, Thomas S. "Case study gem in Los Angeles: a Pierre Koenig masterpiece saved by Matrix coproducer Dan Cracchiolo."
- Architectural Digest July 1999: 104–11.
Pierre Koenig Obituary
- Hay, David. "Returning to the scene. " House Beautiful 1 Oct. 1998: 108–110.
- MT. "L.A. Utopia: Pierre Koenig Finally Gets His Close-Up." L'Uomo Vogue Mar. 2007.
- Steele, James, and David Jenkins. Pierre Koenig. New York: Phaidon P, 2002. p. 49-51
- Jackson, Neil. Pierre Koenig : 1925-2005: Living with Steel. Los Angeles: TASCHEN, 2007. p. 27-30
- Steele, James, and David Jenkins. Pierre Koenig. New York: Phaidon P, 2002. p. 55-56
- Jackson, Neil. Pierre Koenig : 1925-2005: Living with Steel. Los Angeles: TASCHEN, 2007. p. 27-30
- Banham, Reyner, and Thomas Hine. Blueprints for Modern Living : History and Legacy of the Case Study Houses. Ed. Elizabeth A.T.
- Smith. New York: MIT P, 1999. p. 70
- Steele, James, and David Jenkins. Pierre Koenig. New York: Phaidon P, 2002. p. 59
- Banham, Reyner, and Thomas Hine. Blueprints for Modern Living : History and Legacy of the Case Study Houses. Ed. Elizabeth A.T.
- Smith. New York: MIT P, 1999. p. 70
- Steele, James, and David Jenkins. Pierre Koenig. New York: Phaidon P, 2002. p. 55-56
- Banham, Reyner, and Thomas Hine. Blueprints for Modern Living : History and Legacy of the Case Study Houses. Ed. Elizabeth A.T.
- Smith. New York: MIT P, 1999. p. 209
- Hay, David. "Returning to the scene. " House Beautiful 1 Oct. 1998: 108–110.
- Hines, Thomas S. "Case study gem in Los Angeles: a Pierre Koenig masterpiece saved by Matrix coproducer Dan Cracchiolo."
- Architectural Digest July 1999: p. 173
- Banham, Reyner, and Thomas Hine. Blueprints for Modern Living : History and Legacy of the Case Study Houses. Ed. Elizabeth A.T.
- Smith. New York: MIT P, 1999. p. 69-70
- Jackson, Neil. Pierre Koenig : 1925-2005: Living with Steel. Los Angeles: TASCHEN, 2007. p. 30-31
- Hay, David. "Returning to the scene. " House Beautiful 1 Oct. 1998: 108–110.