Rudolph Schindler, an Austrian-born American architect – my dad was born in Vienna, Austria so this is another time my activities all come together.
Kings Road House is own home and studio on Kings Road (West Hollywood, 1921-22) is a masterpiece designed a pinwheel shape to house two families. Among other notable figures to occupy the home, fellow Austrian émigré Richard Neutra lived there upon his arrival in Los Angeles in the mid-1920s. I always love the court yard style and indoor outdoors communal style of Southern California living.
Tischler House: Design a house for a steep hillside lot, and the architect responded with an unusual, almost sculptural building that steps up the slope in levels. Due to the modest budget of his clients, Schindler designed the residence to be completed in phases over time. The house’s primary elevation resembles the bow of a ship thrusting forward through the trees, extending the angle of the roof’s gable with a glass and stucco, irregularly shaped, somewhat cruciform volume placed on the front. The steeply pitched roof is sheathed in panels of blue corrugated fiberglass to give the interior a tent-like feel. The material originally heated the interior spaces and cast a blue light. As I walk through this home the changing volumes and views, light quality, and emotions explode. Phased construction is something I get involved with and appreciate. The organic hillside design always inspires me from the memory of the use of the space and opportunities the site provided.
John Lautner, Architect apprenticeship in the mid-1930s with the Taliesin Fellowship led by Frank Lloyd Wright. This is another of my crossing the tide for my Working as an apprentice for Robert Marks Architect for 10 years ties back the John Lautner.
I love his free form expanding architecture. His use of space, volume, material seem so simple even with all its complications. His inside outside cantilevered structures feel so comforting. Maybe live a cave dwelling or Hive. His free flowing use of space melts from one space to another. Ever step provides one the feeling motion. Exposed structures are honest. His use of material is true to their functions. The in and out, the changing planes, the character expands ones feeling of life, humanity, of the soul. He got it right. His projects were always way out of budget and time lines. In the end his clients still embraced him. No compromise with him. He held his own. I like that strength.
