Kings Road House

From Archiplanet

	Kings Road House
Designer	Rudolf M. Schindler
Location	West Hollywood, California, USA
Date	1921 to 1922
Building Type	architect's house and studio
Climate	mild, dry
Context	coastal, suburban
Architectural Style	Modern
Street Address	835 North Kings Road
Notes	An early modern house responding to the southern California climate.
At Great Buildings	http://www.GreatBuildings.com/buildings/Kings_Road_House.html

Contents 1 Images 2 Discussion 3 Maps 4 References 5 External Links

[edit] Images

[edit] Discussion

National Register of Historic Places
Name	Schindler, R. M., House
ID Number	71000150
NRHP Status	Listed In The National Register
Certification Date	07/14/1971
Level of Significance	Local

While the Schindler House is known as one of the original examples of Modernist housing in California, its delivery method also maintained an innovative character. The two families that would eventually share the building’s communal public space, also shared the design-build process, with Schindler serving as architect and Chase serving as the engineer & builder.

The design utilized tilt-up 4ft wide concrete panels, a relatively new construction method. Schindler became familiar with this technique in his early career in Chicago, and Chace had worked with this system with Irving Gill, an early modern architect practicing in the area. Schindler’s plans were originally rejected by the building department, because of the official’s unfamiliarity with the proposed construction method. A series of discussions with the building officials was necessary for the architect to persuade the city to allow building to begin. The compromise reached allowed the building official to suspend construction at any point. The architect and contractors past, if limited, experience with the system gave them the confidence necessary to agree to the unusual terms. The end result was an iconic design, one of the first modernist homes in southern California.

While not a primary project objective, two sustainable elements can be observed in the Schindler House. In program, the two families share common living and dining space, which reduces the amount of space that needed to be built. On the roof Schindler added canvas enclosed ‘sleeping baskets’ which provided sleeping spaces naturally cooled by summer breezes, reducing the need for cooled space at night.

Building Details
Client	Rudolf & Pauline Schindler and Clyde & Marian Chace
Cost	$150,000 (2007 USD)
Area	2500SF
Stories	2
Program	Two Family residence, sharing common kitchen, bath and utilities. Garage & guest suite.

Commentary

"Rudolf M. Schindler's Studio-Residence was the first modern house to respond to the unique climate of California, and as such it served as the prototype for a distinctly Californian style of design. From 1922 until his death in 1953, the building functioned as both his house and studio. During this 30 year period, Schindler designed the houses and small commercial buildings that today are considered landmarks of the modern movement.

"In his own house, Schindler expressed his philosophy about structure and materials most clearly, but the entire site demonstrates his exploration of the relationship of space, light, and form."

— Kathryn Smith. MAK Center brochure.

The Creator's Words

"The sense for the perception of architecture is not the eyes — but living. Our life is its image."

— Rudolph M. Schindler. from Esther McCoy. Five California Architects. p149-150.

Details

MAK Center for Art and Architecture L.A.
R.M. Schindler Studio and Residence
835 North Kings Road
West Hollywood, CA 90069-5409

[edit] Maps

[edit] References

"Assembly by Rogers", by Peter Noever, ArchitectureWeek No. 297, 2006.0802, pC1.1.

James Steele. R. M. Schindler. Benedikt Taschen Verlag GmbH, 1999. ISBN 3-8228-7188-5. — a big beautiful book, Available at Amazon.com

David Gebhard. Schindler. New York: The Viking Press, 1972. ISBN 670-62063-7. LC 71-172899. NA737.S35G382.

Esther McCoy. Five California Architects. Los Angeles: Hennessey + Ingalls, 1987.

National Register of Historic Places

[edit] External Links

R.M. Schindler Studio and Residence — including visitor info

http://www.nr.nps.gov/Red%20Books/71000150.red.pdf 33