This Pierre Koenig–Designed Midcentury Marries Killer Looks With Great Bones
Years before designing his iconic Case Study Houses No. 21 and 22, a young Pierre Koenig tested out early inspiration in the foothills of La Cañada Flintridge in Los Angeles County, California. The Squire House, one of Koenig’s first residential commissions, was built in 1953 when he was fresh out of school at the University of Southern California. Constructed with steel, glass, and concrete, the three-bedroom home also provided an experimental setting for Koenig to refine his modernist style.
The all-glass rear facade emphatically connects the home to its site.
Set on a 9,875-square-foot lot in the Alta Canyada neighborhood of La Cañada Flintridge, California, the Squire House offers a look at Pierre Koenig's early work. The master modernist built the home in 1953 before completing his famed projects, Case Study House No. 21 and 22.
Today, the pavilion-style home is on the market for the first time in 22 years. While the residence has undergone several remodels throughout the decades, many original details remain including wood cabinetry, stone-tile flooring, and a full-height masonry fireplace.
Entering the home reveals its original stone-tile flooring. A sliding screen provides privacy for a small home office while exposed wood details contrast with the stone flooring and white walls.
The dwelling’s most notable feature—a glass wall lining the entire rear facade—embodies Koenig's philosophy of uniting design with nature, inviting the interior to intimately mingle with the lush surroundings of thick pines and rugged canyons. Scroll ahead to see more of the pedigreed property, currently listed for $1,400,000.
A full-height masonry fireplace awaits in the living room, and a wall of glass spans the entire space, creating a connection to nature for its occupants. As Koenig explained in a piece for Arts & Architecture, "Every room is a continuation of the outdoors."
The kitchen is separated from a dining area by original cabinetry units. The mid-height design allows the space to feel connected to the rest of the home, while still providing storage.
A closer look at the kitchen, which has been updated in previous years to provide newer tile countertops and modern appliances. The home's original stone flooring runs throughout.
In total, the home features three bedrooms and three baths. Floor-to-ceiling glass continues into this space, overlooking a private outdoor area accessible directly from the bedroom.
A view of the home from the expansive backyard, which showcases the striking glass facade.
The Squire House, located at 5323 Palm Drive in La Cañada Flintridge, California, is currently listed for $1,400,000 by Kimberly Benz and Christopher Suarez of Dilbeck Real Estate.
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