Los Angeles Housing Treasures

I

icey_IHB

New member
LA city is known for being a disorganized hodge-podge of lax zoning and poor urban planning gone all wrong. But scattered around the city, are hidden landmarks and architectural wonders, in the most unexpected and forgotten about places. I've spent hours browsing the Big Orange Landmarks blog, and am simply amazing at some of the preserved houses from the late 1880s and 1920s. Some of the post cards from the era make the place look like an absolute paradise.



You would never have guessed a Euro-styled estate like this, with rich wood interior, would be found within the LA City limits:



http://bigorangelandmarks.blogspot.com/2009/04/no-230-villa-maria.html



Here's an unoccupied Los Feliz home designed by the one and only, Frank Lloyd Wright, it seems taken straight out of the ancient world:



http://laplaces.blogspot.com/2009/03/los-feliz-frank-lloyd-wright-houses.html



BK's threads regarding what makes a good house work, and the history of the different eras of home design really sparked my interest in architecture, so I thought I'd share this blog here as it has some really neat finds. Venice Beach, though not for everybody, still has this spirit of creativity alive and well, creating residences that are works of art with alot of soul.
 
[quote author="icey" date=1245827025]LA city is known for being a disorganized hodge-podge of lax zoning and poor urban planning gone all wrong. But scattered around the city, are hidden landmarks and architectural wonders, in the most unexpected and forgotten about places. I've spent hours browsing the Big Orange Landmarks blog, and am simply amazing at some of the preserved houses from the late 1880s and 1920s. Some of the post cards from the era make the place look like an absolute paradise.



You would never have guessed a Euro-styled estate like this, with rich wood interior, would be found within the LA City limits:



http://bigorangelandmarks.blogspot.com/2009/04/no-230-villa-maria.html



Here's an unoccupied Los Feliz home designed by the one and only, Frank Lloyd Wright, it seems taken straight out of the ancient world:



http://laplaces.blogspot.com/2009/03/los-feliz-frank-lloyd-wright-houses.html



BK's threads regarding what makes a good house work, and the history of the different eras of home design really sparked my interest in architecture, so I thought I'd share this blog here as it has some really neat finds. Venice Beach, though not for everybody, still has this spirit of creativity alive and well, creating residences that are works of art with alot of soul.</blockquote>


Wow, the first one is absolutely beautiful! While I can appreciate the architecture of the second one, it looks to me like a cross between a mausoleum, a Mayan temple and a prison!
 
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/3458729630_02be916c22.jpg" alt="" />



<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3603/3458608048_f49128806c.jpg" alt="" />



<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/3458638644_34f8a3cdb9.jpg" alt="" />



<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/3457865939_1119b5720f.jpg?v=0" alt="" />



<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/3458657806_994050b62f.jpg" alt="" />



I am so please to spark your interest and these homes are not far from the Staple Center since few is aware of the West Adam District.





I have toured this house along Western Ave. in LA designed by Roehrig. He designed many homes in Pasadena in the Gamble House neighborhood in 1880's before the Gamble House. He was trained in Chicago as well as New York before arriving in CA. He has the discipline of the New York Classicism mixed in with the Chicago School (Romanesque Masonry Construction).



http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2291/2106535959_a9f27fee7c.jpg

Another Roehrig with the strong masonry element.



Are members interested in learning about real architecture? I can start an online lecture series. What is really funny is the public will know more about house vernacular that the real architects designing homes in OC.



He was much older than Frank Lloyd Wright who also started in Chicago. Both started with Historic Revival styles but Wright experimented with many new ideas derived from nature by integrating his architecture with the land.
 
[quote author="SoOCOwner" date=1245829874][quote author="icey" date=1245827025]LA city is known for being a disorganized hodge-podge of lax zoning and poor urban planning gone all wrong. But scattered around the city, are hidden landmarks and architectural wonders, in the most unexpected and forgotten about places. I've spent hours browsing the Big Orange Landmarks blog, and am simply amazing at some of the preserved houses from the late 1880s and 1920s. Some of the post cards from the era make the place look like an absolute paradise.



You would never have guessed a Euro-styled estate like this, with rich wood interior, would be found within the LA City limits:



http://bigorangelandmarks.blogspot.com/2009/04/no-230-villa-maria.html



Here's an unoccupied Los Feliz home designed by the one and only, Frank Lloyd Wright, it seems taken straight out of the ancient world:



http://laplaces.blogspot.com/2009/03/los-feliz-frank-lloyd-wright-houses.html



BK's threads regarding what makes a good house work, and the history of the different eras of home design really sparked my interest in architecture, so I thought I'd share this blog here as it has some really neat finds. Venice Beach, though not for everybody, still has this spirit of creativity alive and well, creating residences that are works of art with alot of soul.</blockquote>


Wow, the first one is absolutely beautiful! While I can appreciate the architecture of the second one, it looks to me like a cross between a mausoleum, a Mayan temple and a prison!</blockquote>


<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CULWYCEvos0/SbCjvge3-pI/AAAAAAAACfs/p2Z9jJtGVuk/s400/los+feliz+029.JPG" alt="" />





This house suffered extensive damage due to land erosion on the hillside. The retaining wall was added to strengthen the site thus added to the Prison like fortressing. I have seen this home many time before the landslide. It's exterior was integrated with terrace gardens and not so much concrete foundation and hardscape.



Like Roehrig both were from the Chicago School. Masonry construction was their strong statement. Roehrig used random size stones and boulders while Wright could not stand the random nature of different size stone and texture. He wanted his creation to be a part of the hillside by blending in like the faces carved on the face of the granite at Mount Rushmore.



He took earth from the excavated site and mixed in earth with concrete to cast his own concrete blocks. The block color is exactly the color of the hills. He was anal about perfect order that every block was exactly 18"x18". The 18" dimension was the building module. Every room in the house was deterimined by the full block thus their sizes were measured in 18" increments and never in a fractional block size. The wall thickness has to be either 18", 3' or 4-6" and so on. Room sizes also were in exact 18" increments to receive the full blocks.

<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CULWYCEvos0/SbCkNH01aeI/AAAAAAAACgU/hcbQuXYAGCY/s400/los+feliz+038.JPG" alt="" />



The ceilings and building height were also determined by the increments of 18"inches. Window location have to be between full blocks in both horizontal and vertical direction.



Every block joint has to align with interior walls and cabinet line. Kitchen counter was 2 block high and upper cabinets were from the 4th block to the 6th block.

<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CULWYCEvos0/SbCk0ldEbaI/AAAAAAAAChE/kcpFS_IN4uQ/s400/los+feliz+052.JPG" alt="" />

Look at the picture posted. His sofa cushion was one block high 18" and the sofa back was 2 block high 3'. Every (3) 6 inch steps aligned with one block vertically. He designed his torchire 4 block high. Bottom of his lamp shade was 3 block high. His dining table was designed 6 block long 9' and 3 block wide 4'-6". The dining chairs one block 18" to the cushion and 3 blocks at the back (4'-6"). This was why FLW chairs have a taller back. Place mats were also one block wide. Knife, fork, and spoon lined up end to end also equal to one block dimension. Napkins was designed one block wide and folded into 3 equal sections to match the flatware dimension. A toilet was 2 block deep x 1 block width x 1 block tall. Bed width also aligned with the vertical block joints. The distance between 2 beds was 3 blocks.



<img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CULWYCEvos0/SbCnFSf6MYI/AAAAAAAACh8/SvfcEc1yFz0/s400/los+feliz+048.JPG" alt="" />





He even designed the stationary with the Mayan Block motif as well as the Kimonos for the owners in the block modules. Chasing the block joints was a nightmare in both design and construction tolerance. Everyone could tell if construction was off by 1/2 " missing the joint alignment. It was a mathematical triumph and perfection.



I hope you all will follow my course and have the trained eyes to recognize the merit of good design.
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1245831450]Are members interested in learning about real architecture? I can start an online lecture series.</blockquote>


When does class start? What will the homework be like? Will there be field trips?



Oh... it looks like class has already begun. Carry on professor BK.
 
As I posted these commentaries I can't stop thinking about Trooper (teary eyes). I hope she is well and these posts are to tribute her time with us.
 
I did one of those LA architectural tours in college and was fascinated at the detail in those old buildings downtown. Coming from IE/OC, that's not something I'm used to and would be interested to learn more :)
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1245831450]

Are members interested in learning about real architecture? I can start an online lecture series. </blockquote>


Most definitely!



Thanks for your analysis on the homes in this thread and elsewhere on the site.
 
Man, these homes have a flair that you just don't see in Irvine (or much anywhere else). I had no idea such detail went into the Wright house-can't believe that even the toilets were made in block-specific lengths! Sign me up for that class.
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1245831450]<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/3458729630_02be916c22.jpg" alt="" />



<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3603/3458608048_f49128806c.jpg" alt="" />



<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/3458638644_34f8a3cdb9.jpg" alt="" />



<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/3457865939_1119b5720f.jpg?v=0" alt="" />



<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/3458657806_994050b62f.jpg" alt="" />



I am so please to spark your interest and these homes are not far from the Staple Center since few is aware of the West Adam District.





I have toured this house along Western Ave. in LA designed by Roehrig. He designed many homes in Pasadena in the Gamble House neighborhood in 1880's before the Gamble House. He was trained in Chicago as well as New York before arriving in CA. He has the discipline of the New York Classicism mixed in with the Chicago School (Romanesque Masonry Construction).



http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2291/2106535959_a9f27fee7c.jpg

Another Roehrig with the strong masonry element.



Are members interested in learning about real architecture? I can start an online lecture series. What is really funny is the public will know more about house vernacular that the real architects designing homes in OC.



He was much older than Frank Lloyd Wright who also started in Chicago. Both started with Historic Revival styles but Wright experimented with many new ideas derived from nature by integrating his architecture with the land.</blockquote>


Those are some truly beautiful homes...
 
Check out today's LAtimes home section for a great story about the Schulman, case study 22 house:



<a href="http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-stahlhouse-pictures,0,5213474.photogallery">floating house</a>



<img src="http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2009-06/47690823.jpg" alt="" />
 
Collector houses rarely are for sale. Such an icon stays in the family heirloom forever cited in the article unless the family must sell it due to financial stress. I bought my house during the peak of the market because of the house rarity. For homes with many duplicate copies I also advise buyers to wait because a better deal always come up eventually.



At any given time there will always be at least one of every plan in every tract. Houses in masterplanned communities turned over in an average of every 4.5 years (elementary school generation) while for old neighborhood 22 years (college generation).
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1246335417]Collector houses rarely are for sale. Such an icon stays in the family heirloom forever cited in the article unless the family must sell it due to financial stress. I bought my house during the peak of the market because of the house rarity. For homes with many duplicate copies I also advise buyers to wait because a better deal always come up eventually.



At any given time there will always be at least one of every plan in every tract. Houses in masterplanned communities turned over in an average of every 4.5 years (elementary school generation) while for old neighborhood 22 years (college generation).</blockquote>


Are you really saying tract homes sell five times as often as custom homes? I'm going to need a cite or link to believe that statement. I'm sure generic tract homes sell more often than one of a kind properties, but I don't believe the difference is anywhere near that great.
 
[quote author="Geotpf" date=1246339554][quote author="bkshopr" date=1246335417]Collector houses rarely are for sale. Such an icon stays in the family heirloom forever cited in the article unless the family must sell it due to financial stress. I bought my house during the peak of the market because of the house rarity. For homes with many duplicate copies I also advise buyers to wait because a better deal always come up eventually.



At any given time there will always be at least one of every plan in every tract. Houses in masterplanned communities turned over in an average of every 4.5 years (elementary school generation) while for old neighborhood 22 years (college generation).</blockquote>


Are you really saying tract homes sell five times as often as custom homes? I'm going to need a cite or link to believe that statement. I'm sure generic tract homes sell more often than one of a kind properties, but I don't believe the difference is anywhere near that great.</blockquote>


Not "custom" homes but "collector" homes. Custom means nothing other than a single home built without repetition. It is often really ugly like some posted here. "Custom" is often misunderstood by the public and it rarely lives up to the quality and aesthetic.
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1246341781]Not "custom" homes but "collector" homes. Custom means nothing other than a single home built without repetition. It is often really ugly like some posted here. "Custom" is often misunderstood by the public and it rarely lives up to the quality and aesthetic.</blockquote>


I'm going to agree with BK here. I would love to buy in FP, but the reality of that happening is slim, and it will require some luck. It would be a collector home, and since only a few fit my profile for homes that are truly worth buying, then it would boil down to luck that I find a home that fits my needs in FP. I wish it were not that way, but what is for sale, and even what is in foreclosure is not worth it to me. Maybe in a few years, that will change, but I can't count on it. Plus, it is not easy to change a home in FP to fit my needs without ruining the original aesthetic.



Custom in N. Tustin is more likely. It may not be exactly perfect, but it will be easily remedied, unlike FP. If I had it my way, I would buy a dirt lot, and have BK design my home. I'm not kidding about this. Roundcorners asked what you dream about for housing, this is what I dream about... finding an acre or half acre lot in distress, and having BK design my house with a three car attached, but set back garage. Preferably single story, with maybe a game room/giant office on the second story.



Tract homes turn over every 4-6 years.



Custom homes turn over every 8-15 years.



Collectible homes turn over ever 20-30 years. More than likely the one you want never turns over.



I wish I had a link, but it is a study I read, having been in the industry myself.
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1246341781][quote author="Geotpf" date=1246339554][quote author="bkshopr" date=1246335417]Collector houses rarely are for sale. Such an icon stays in the family heirloom forever cited in the article unless the family must sell it due to financial stress. I bought my house during the peak of the market because of the house rarity. For homes with many duplicate copies I also advise buyers to wait because a better deal always come up eventually.



At any given time there will always be at least one of every plan in every tract. Houses in masterplanned communities turned over in an average of every 4.5 years (elementary school generation) while for old neighborhood 22 years (college generation).</blockquote>


Are you really saying tract homes sell five times as often as custom homes? I'm going to need a cite or link to believe that statement. I'm sure generic tract homes sell more often than one of a kind properties, but I don't believe the difference is anywhere near that great.</blockquote>


Not "custom" homes but "collector" homes. Custom means nothing other than a single home built without repetition. It is often really ugly like some posted here. "Custom" is often misunderstood by the public and it rarely lives up to the quality and aesthetic.</blockquote>


I understand what you are saying, but it would be hard to draw a line between "custom" and "collector", IMHO.
 
[quote author="Geotpf" date=1246399674][quote author="bkshopr" date=1246341781][quote author="Geotpf" date=1246339554][quote author="bkshopr" date=1246335417]Collector houses rarely are for sale. Such an icon stays in the family heirloom forever cited in the article unless the family must sell it due to financial stress. I bought my house during the peak of the market because of the house rarity. For homes with many duplicate copies I also advise buyers to wait because a better deal always come up eventually.



At any given time there will always be at least one of every plan in every tract. Houses in masterplanned communities turned over in an average of every 4.5 years (elementary school generation) while for old neighborhood 22 years (college generation).</blockquote>


Are you really saying tract homes sell five times as often as custom homes? I'm going to need a cite or link to believe that statement. I'm sure generic tract homes sell more often than one of a kind properties, but I don't believe the difference is anywhere near that great.</blockquote>


Not "custom" homes but "collector" homes. Custom means nothing other than a single home built without repetition. It is often really ugly like some posted here. "Custom" is often misunderstood by the public and it rarely lives up to the quality and aesthetic.</blockquote>


I understand what you are saying, but it would be hard to draw a line between "custom" and "collector", IMHO.</blockquote>


You ask really good question so I gave you a thank.



Custom is when a home was designed to fit the lifestyle of the owners that they can't seem to find in the resale inventory. Custom often reflects the peculiar taste of owners imposed on to the architect to prepare the plan. For example, If IHO could not find his dream 3CWG house in Irvine then he buys a lot and makes sure to have his architects to place it at the most convenient and functional position across the front. He may even add a 2 story pillar portico over his double wide front door. Upon opening to the foyer there is a 2 story impressive volume space that resemble a king's palace with 2 sets of curve staircases that lead up to the second floor where there is a loft that is visually connected to the 2 story living and foyer downstairs.



This house that I just described is not economically feasible for production builders but IHO must go custom to realize his dream. It is indeed a custom home but not a house that has outstanding timeless appeal and pedigree that fits into the collector catagories unless Michael Jackson died in it so it is affliated with some significant historic or cultural events like a set for some landmark sitcom or movies like the Father of the Bride.



Pedigree collector houses follow a set of rules or standards like pedigree dogs. Not only the concept and aesthetic must be conceived along the champion line of purity like the puppy born along royal line and not Mud or hence a hybrid house. Maintenance for a house is like the regular care and grooming for the pedigree dogs. Pedigree houses must have a style and meet 40 elements pertaining to that style. For example Koenig's Hollywood Hill and Neutra's Palm Spring houses are both collector Mid Century Modernism.



Custom home is when you want to design and cross breed a dog by specific mating. Both the home and dog would be a perfect fit for the owner but it does not meet the standards in the pedigree guideline specified.



I am not an expert in dogs but experts can tell a pedigree dog by just a glance and so can I with houses and communities. To the layman Custom=Collector and the same logic when applied to cars can you say a custom kit car is the same as the 1934 collector Bentley?
 
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