John Lautner famously said “architecture is an art”—and although his masterpieces dot the streets of Los Angeles, very seldom do they surface on the market. Now, a lucky buyer has the chance to scoop up the architectural gem known as the Tyler House, which Lautner designed in 1950.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Studio City, the multilevel home is surrounded by a grove of protected oaks and sycamores. For the last three decades, it has been owned by the award-winning artist Peter Tangen, who treated the property to a complete restoration in the mid-1990s.

“I bought the Tyler House in my early thirties; it was my first home,” says Tangen. “I’d lived in apartments, Hollywood bungalows, and NYC railroad flats for all but about two years of my life. Then suddenly, and almost accidentally, I found myself living in this inspiring space.”

“The more time I spent quietly contemplating the space, the more I came to understand it. Every architectural decision revealed itself as the obvious best choice,” continues Tangen. “My early questions of ‘why did he do that’ turned into ‘of course he did that’ as I grew to be in sync with the experience offered by this simple and modest home.”

The dwelling measures approximately 1,433 square feet, and its wood and glass construction allows the interiors to merge with the natural setting. “Over the last 30 years, the trees have matured in this little canyon and the home feels more intimate; more private,” notes Tangen. “It’s truly a redwood-and-glass tree house, with the windows and skylight opening the space up to canyon breezes, sometimes accompanied by a butterfly or small bird.”

The plan takes the shape of two equilateral triangles, with the primary living spaces designed to gently ascend up the tiered lot. The home offers two bedrooms and two baths—all of which are drenched with warm sunshine. “John Lautner was a visionary who balanced the physical and the emotional. He understood the hundreds of factors that affect life and created architecture with a built-in, natural concern for light, air, and sun, as well as freedom and space,” says Tangen.

Shortly after purchasing the home in the ’90s, Tangen sought to restore it. “I assembled an amazing team led by contractor Sid Loving and architect Tracy Stone to do a full and faithful restoration. With the invaluable advice and support of Helena Arahuete—a principal architect at Lautner Associates—and Lautner archivist and architect Frank Escher, we took the house to framing and spent 15 months rebuilding.”

While prioritizing Lautner’s original vision for the residence, Tangen and team also sought inspiration from Lautner’s other works, specifically the Sheats–Goldstein Residence. “We added four skylights—one of which opens—and we opened up the corner of the living room with 10-foot-wide operable windows,” he explains.

“The Tyler House by John Lautner is about to turn 70 years old,” comments Tangen. “The full restoration of the home in 1996 included all of the structural and safety benefits of the day, so I believe it is ready for the many generations of people who will live in and experience the home in its next 70 years.“ Scroll ahead to see more of the residence, listed for $2,495,000.

The Tyler House, located at 3612 Woodhill Canyon Rd in Studio City, California, is currently listed for $2,495,000 by Crosby Doe Associates. View more photos of the property via the home website and/or @johnlautnertylerhouse.

Know of a home for sale or rent that should be featured on Dwell.com? Find out how to submit to Dwell.

Appears In

An Impeccably Restored John Lautner Home Seeks $2.5M in Los Angeles