Collection by Brandi Andres
Sensitive Renovations of Iconic California Architects
We've pulled together a "who's who" list of California homes, originally designed by Richard Neutra, Pierre Koenig, Frederick Monhoff, A. Quincy Jones, Joseph Eichler, and John Lautner, that were carefully restored to their midcentury modern perfection.
The upstairs portion of the addition takes advantage of the ocean view beyond. "The second floor achieves a dynamic on its own, with large window bands and roof overhangs with detailing emulated from the original," Grueneisen says. "But despite the significant change in the massing, we believe the final composition results in an integrated and seamless sense of continuity between the different generations of the building."
Midcentury architect Frederick Monhoff designed this Santa Monica home in 1951. In the Vukadinovich Residence’s most recent renovation, Synthesis, Inc. expanded the previous 1,200-square-feet of living space to a comfortable and bright retreat that totals 2,680-square-feet. The architects added two bathrooms, two bedrooms, and a den, and replaced the existing windows with floor-to-ceiling glass and folding doors that open up completely to the yard.
The iconic midcentury architect Pierre Koenig, who masterminded Case Study houses #21 and #22, designed the Henbest house in 1966. In 2013, Robert Sweet completed a historically sensitive renovation of the Rancho Palos Verdes structure, repairing the dilapidated perimeter wall and wrapping it in ipe wood siding.
In 2013, Robert Sweet completed a historically sensitive renovation of the Rancho Palos Verdes structure, repairing the dilapidated perimeter wall and wrapping it in ipe wood siding. Inside, Sweet removed walls to improve internal circulation and to reveal views of the Pacific Ocean. “When completely open, the house becomes a pavilion, truly blurring the indoor-outdoor boundary that exemplifies California modern,” Sweet says.
This midcentury gem lays in Crestwood Hills, in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, an endangered enclave of midcentury post-and-beam houses designed by A. Quincy Jones and Whitney R. Smith. Elise Loehnen and Rob Fissmer bought their house, which dates to 1950, in 2012, furnishing the living room with a Jasper sofa by Room & Board, Laccio tables by Marcel Breuer, and a wool sisal rug from Madison Flooring and Design.