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."
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 originally designed this Santa Monica home. Over the years, multiple renovations have expanded the home’s original 1,200-square-foot floor plan—including a garage addition in 1952 and an extension of the main house in 1964.
Midcentury architect Frederick Monhoff originally designed this Santa Monica home. Over the years, multiple renovations have expanded the home’s original 1,200-square-foot floor plan—including a garage addition in 1952 and an extension of the main house in 1964.
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.
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.
To open the interior space, existing windows were replaced with floor-to-ceiling glass and folding doors.
To open the interior space, existing windows were replaced with floor-to-ceiling glass and folding doors.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The dining area features a distinctive cinder block fireplace. Molded plastic side chairs are arranged around a Segmented Base table, all by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. The space is illuminated by a Saucer pendant lamp by George Nelson from Modernica.
The dining area features a distinctive cinder block fireplace. Molded plastic side chairs are arranged around a Segmented Base table, all by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. The space is illuminated by a Saucer pendant lamp by George Nelson from Modernica.
As grand as it ever was this renovated Eichler home in San Rafael, California, exudes warm light into the California hills. Photo by: Scott Hargis
As grand as it ever was this renovated Eichler home in San Rafael, California, exudes warm light into the California hills. Photo by: Scott Hargis
Oakland–based Building Lab effortlessly connected the patio to the living and bedroom areas just beyond the striking wall of windows.
Oakland–based Building Lab effortlessly connected the patio to the living and bedroom areas just beyond the striking wall of windows.
On the other side of the fence—built to protect the property from flash floods—is a desert oasis with cactus-lined walkways and patios set with butterfly chairs.
On the other side of the fence—built to protect the property from flash floods—is a desert oasis with cactus-lined walkways and patios set with butterfly chairs.
This is Unit 1, the most private of the four units. It's got a cool Milo Baughman sofa, a polished chrome coffee table by J. Wade Beam, a pair of Bertoia barstools, and a Thonet-inspired chair.
This is Unit 1, the most private of the four units. It's got a cool Milo Baughman sofa, a polished chrome coffee table by J. Wade Beam, a pair of Bertoia barstools, and a Thonet-inspired chair.