Architecture and Design Obsession
The Only Home John Lautner Ever Built for Himself Is Listed for the First Time in Decades
Built in 1940 for a reported $4,500, the John and Mary Lautner House is now on the market for $1,590,000.
Built in 1940 for a reported $4,500, the John and Mary Lautner House is now on the market for $1,590,000.
Before he became a monolithic figure in American architecture, John Lautner’s first significant solo project was a home he designed for himself and his first wife, MaryBud, just on the heels of a fellowship with Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin. Now, for the first time in decades, the Los Angeles property is up for sale.
Perched on a steep hillside in Silver Lake, the John and Mary Lautner Residence remains in nearly original condition. The redwood-clad home cascades down a steep slope—a challenge Lautner approached with the intention “to build something of the hill, rather than in spite of the hill.”
Photo: Cameron Carothers
The home helped to establish Lautner’s name independent of his mentor, although Frank Lloyd Wright’s influence is evident throughout. Ribbon windows overlook treetops in the wood-clad living room, which also features a clay tile fireplace and an abundance of built-ins.
Photo: Cameron Carothers
Interesting features include the hexagonal shape that defines much of the multilevel living room and kitchen, as well as the formerly open deck that separated public and private areas. Windows surround the home on all sides, overlooking treetops and a private courtyard along the front. The property also retains many original details, including stained concrete floors, plaster walls, cabinetry, and plywood ceilings.
Shortly after the home’s completion, east coast architectural critic Henry Russell Hitchcock described it as “the best house by an architect under 30 in the United States” in California Arts and Architecture magazine.
The living area is divided from the kitchen by a series of steps and a redwood-clad parapet that also forms the back of a built-in sofa. Lautner added over 25 feet of built-ins to provide storage throughout the 1,244-square-foot home.
Photo: Cameron Carothers
See the full story on Dwell.com: The Only Home John Lautner Ever Built for Himself Is Listed for the First Time in Decades
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