Tag Archives: industrial material

Historic Modern Architecture- Walter White’s Palm Desert Masterpiece

Walter S. White’s Palm Desert Gem Comes To Market 

Walter S. White was a prolific and innovative modernist architect, best known for advancing the use of geometry to passively control temperature. A fearless inventor, he held patents for a solar heat exchanger window wall and the hyperbolic paraboloid roof—concepts that continue to be used in desert architecture today. In keeping with the modern movement, his constructions were stylish but functional, making use of industrial materials and thoughtful integration with the natural landscape.

He worked extensively in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley, pursuing a vision of desert modernism that integrated structure, material, and light with the unique arid landscape. The Paulette Herbert Johnson House, nestled in South Palm Desert’s charming, historic Silver Spur Ranch neighborhood, is a gorgeous example of the architect’s work. Constructed in 1958, the modern residence has been listed for $1.755 million usd/ $2.41 million cad (conversion rate at time of posting).  

White’s home design has a classic modern profile, with clean lines and floor-to-ceiling glass, offering fantastic natural light and an airy, open feel. The open floor plan is enhanced by terrazzo floors, original wood paneling, and White’s signature masonry walls, while desert views abound from every room. Designers Garret & Garage have tastefully updated the home, blending contemporary luxuries with original finishes, curating a tasteful and refined aesthetic while preserving the architectural mastery of the original design. 

Outside, find a private oasis with a sparkling pebble-finish pool and spa surrounded by lush palm trees. A beautiful architectural breeze-block detail anchors the space. The 15,682-square-foot grounds encompass multiple fire features, several lounge and dining spaces, an outdoor kitchen, a putting green, and a bocce ball court, offering an excellent setup for both entertaining and private relaxation. For golf fans, the home is located close to numerous golf courses and country clubs, including Indian Wells Country Club, Stone Eagle Golf Club, and The Citrus Club at PGA West. 

Silver Spur Ranch Neighborhood

The Silver Spur Ranch neighborhood was started in 1957 by prolific Tarzan movie producer Sol Lesser and a consortium of business leaders as a prestige development. Silver Spur’s modern ranch homes defined desert luxury in the post-war era. Spanning 400 acres of picturesque Palm Desert land, the development attracted movie stars, including actors Bing Crosby, Phil Harris and Randolph Scott. JFK was known to vacation at these celebrity homes while visiting California. Today, this storied enclave is popular for its well-preserved architectural homes, which retain the unique character of the modern age. Palm Desert is a hot spot with A-listers looking to get away from it all, with the Kardashian family, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Robert Downey Jr. being just a few of the big names with vacation retreats in the area. 

For The Silo, By Kimberly Ridley & friends at toptenrealestatedeals.com

The listing is held by Reagan Richter at Compass. Photo Credit: David Potter

Source: www.compass.com

LA’s Famous Atomic Age Stahl House For Sale

LA’s Stahl House – Most Famous US Modern Home Since Fallingwater – Lists $25 Million usd/ $34.3 Million cad

In 1945, Arts and Architecture magazine commissioned major architects to create the Case Study Homes, an experiment in architectural design intended as a creative solution to the impending post-war housing boom. Constructed from industrial materials, these homes would help to define the mid-century modern movement, none more so than Case Study House #22, known as the Stahl House.

The Pierre Koenig masterpiece is cantilevered over a Hollywood hillside, which had been deemed unbuildable by previous architects. The home was immortalized by renowned photographer Julius Shulman in an image that shows two women in white party dresses lounging in the living room that seems to float above the glittering city.

It is perhaps the most famous modern-style US home and architectural photograph since Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Fallingwater. A true cultural landmark, the home is a City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Owned by the Stahl family since its inception, this one-of-a-kind icon of modern design has hit the market for the first time.

Representing the optimism of the atomic age, the Stahl House features the steel-and-glass construction so emblematic of the modern movement. Its legendary glass walls were created from the largest glass panels commercially available when it was built between 1958 and 1960. They offer sweeping 270-degree views of Los Angeles. A picture window in the primary bathroom frames the Hollywood Sign. 

An airy open floor plan connects the living spaces in the 2,200-square-foot home, anchored by a central fireplace with natural stone details. Blonde wood enhances the charming kitchen, which features a spacious island with counter seating that ingeniously tucks away when not in use. The concrete floors sport radiant heating for ultimate comfort. Sliding doors open onto the gorgeous pool deck with an expansive swimming pool and more awesome views. Situated at the end of a gated drive, the property offers a rare combination of discretion, security, and serenity high above the city. Since 2007, the house has offered public tours, and the family seeks not just a buyer but a custodian who will honor the house’s history, respect its architectural purity, and ensure its preservation for generations to come. 

Located in the Hollywood Hills, the house is about a mile from the legendary Sunset Strip, the epicenter of LA’s rock-and-roll scene in the 1960s and still home to top-notch venues for music, comedy and food. The neighborhood is very popular with celebrities, with A-listers like Leonardo DiCaprio, Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry and Taylor Swift owning homes in the hills. The Stahl House is a celebrity in its own right, having been featured in numerous films and TV shows, including ColumboNurse Betty and Galaxy Quest For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Tim Allen playing Jason Nesmith in 1999 Galaxy Quest – The Stahl house

The listing is held by William Baker of the Agency Beverly Hills.

Photo Credit: Cameron Carothers; Original Photos by Julius Shulman, courtesy of The Getty Museum