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Thursday, December 30, 2010

Donna Locke, Leonardo Chalupowicz & Michael St. Onge, October 24, 2010

Donna Locke, Leonardo Chalupowicz & Michael Saint-Onge, at Leonardo Chalupowicz's home in Silver Lake, October 24, 2010, participants in the Eastside Eco Tour. Leonardois a local “green” architect, artist and member of the Silver Lake NC. He is involved in a number of local causes, primarily the creation of the Micheltorena School and Community Garden.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Purviance Duplex, R. M. Schindler, 1923

Elizabeth Bougart-Sharkov, Chair of the Silver Lake Urban Design & Preservation Committee, recently informed that this unassuming duplex located at 944 Maltman Avenue is indeed the work of a young Rudolf Shindler! 'During the course of research and digging through history and left-intact documents, we made this tremendous discovery. It was designed and built according to his plans', an ecstatic Ms. Bougart-Sharkov exclaimed, 'It was a stepping stone in terms of using cast concrete as a structural and architectural element.'

Friday, December 24, 2010

Sunday, December 19, 2010

3507 Fernwood, Steven Hill, Architect- 1983

The late Steven Hill made his imprint on Silver Lake architecture with many of these distinctive stucco and glass block houses. This particular property is located at 3507 Fernwood and is striking in its simplicity.

Bubeshko Apartments, R.M. Schindler, Architect, 1938-41

The Anastasia & Luby Bubeshko Apartments designed by Rudolph Schindler. Garnering world acclaim, the building was featured in the MOCA Schindler Retrospective as one of the architect's best-known multi-family designs. Located at the Southeast corner of Lyric Avenue and Griffith Park Blvd., these much-photographed apartments have great indoor/outdoor flow with their oversize roof terraces. The Mayan style blocks add a dramatic element.

Silver Lake's Oldest House? 832 Coronado Terrace, c.1885

As a history buff, I have often wondered when the very first houses in Silver Lake were built. While I can't be absolutely sure, the best information I have at present is that the first homes in Silver Lake on record appear to have been built in the late 1890s.

Coronado Terrace, on the edge of Echo Park, has the oldest houses still standing in Silver Lake. The house at 832 Coronado Terrace is perhaps the best preserved. Built in 1895, it retains much vintage character.

Elevado de Castillo, Design Vidal (remodel) 2007

The latest 'rescue and restore' project by the design team of Guy & Karen Vidal, the 'Elevado de Castillo' represents the team's 20th completed project in the Silver Lake/Echo Park communities. A severly neglected Spanish fourplex originally built in 1925, Karen fell in love with the architectural beauty of the octagonal turret, the tall ceilings and arched entryways, sparking her restoration-oriented imagination. The building was considered a 'tear-down' by everyone who was considering buying it, except the Vidals, who value preservation and restoration over the quick buck.

Glendale/Hyperion Viaduct, John C. Shaw, City Engineer, 1927

The Glendale/Hyperion Viaduct, popularly known as the Hyperion Bridge, was completed in June 1927. It was built by Salih Brothers, Contractors, during the term of George E. Cryer, Mayor of the City of Los Angeles. During its construction, H.J. McGuire was President of the Board of Public Works and Merrill Butler served as the Engineer of Bridges. It spans the Los Angeles River between Atwater Village and Silver Lake and Los Feliz. This picture was taken from the eastern (Atwater Village) side.

Reunion House, Richard Neutra 1949 (Remodeled by Dion Neutra 1966)

The personal home of architect Dion & Lynn Smart Neutra. Known as the 'Reunion House', envisioned as a hypothetical 'grandparent's house' where family reunions would be held, the house is the most private of all the homes in the Neutra Colony; instead of exposed to the lake, it is hidden in a forest of trees and ponds, creating a most tranquil setting. Located at 2440 Earl Street in Silver Lake.

Hansen Residence Harwell H. Harris, Architect 1950-51

I had the privilege of visiting this lovely home in my capacity as photographer for the CSSLR 2006 Home Tour, 'Silver Lake Modernism- Then & Now'. Up until the assignment, I had only the opportunity to admire the house from the street and from what I had read in architecture books. My curiosity was hightened with the purchase of Barbara Bestor's new book (2006) entitled, 'Bohemian Modern: Living in Silver Lake' which features the Hansen House. Fashion Designer, Kirk Nozaki, who purchased the home in 1992 was kind enough to give me a tour of the home and allow me to share these photographs with you.

Pedroarena House, Henry Grey, Architect, 1940

Up until about 1920 most of the Spanish style architecture found in Southern California could be defined as 'Mission Revival' or 'Pueblo Revival'. The Panama-Pacific Exposition buildings in San Diego, designed by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue in 1915 created an explosion of interest in a more elaborate style of Spanish architecture that lasted up until the United States entered WWII. The Pedroarena House, designed for Carolina Pedroarena by Architect Henry Grey in 1940 is characteristic of the more elaborate Spanish Colonial Revival Style, borrowing details of Moorish and Renaissance inspiration. Dramatic details include complex roof forms of varying heights; lacy gates and balconies; hand-painted inlaid tiles and an enclosed courtyard with fountain, creating a theatrical effect found in great favor during the period.

Holy Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Cathedral, A.A. Tolubeyev, Architect, 1928

Designed in the Pskov style of 12-13th century northern Russia. The first Russian Orthodox church in Los Angeles, it was founded by a congregation with few wealthy members, many of whom had served as officers in the Russian army and navy who fled Russia in the choas following the Russian Revolution and World War I.

In 1960, the church was enlarged to almost double its size with designs by B.A. Filiippov. In 1971 it was designated a cathedral by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America. The same year, architect S.N. Koschin designed a new building to house the Chapel of St. Herman of Alaska, a school building and sacristy.

The Cathedral is located at 650 Micheltorena Street.

Bart & Ildiko Choy Residence, Choy Associates

Barton & Ildiko Choy's home in Silver Lake ranks as one of my personal favorites. With walls of glass and rich redwoods, the house exudes a 'Lake Arrowhead' ambiance, with a view of Silver Lake Reservoir in the foreground. The Choys have a distinguished lineage in the architectural and interior designed communities and frequently host civic events for the community. Located at 3035 Windsor Avenue.

Marylin Choy Residence, Choy Associates, Architects 1977

Built five years after and next door to his personal residence, this Choy-designed residence has many of the same attributes of his own home yet is quite different. The extensive use of redwood and glass give this property a distinctive alpine look that takes full advantage of the view of the lake below.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Ivanhoe Drive Mid-Century, Mia Lehrer, Landscape Design, April Greiman, Color Design

Featured in Featured in Sunset Magazine and recipient of the “Western Garden Design Award of Excellence” the Mid-Century Modern home at 2651 Ivanhoe Drive has been dramatically updated, thanks to the vision of AIGA design medalist April Greiman who designed the interior colors and the inviting gardens, designed by Landscape Architect Mia Lehrer. The house is located at 2651 Ivanhoe Drive.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Otero House, Ray V. Otero, Architect 1961, Inside Space Interiors, Restoration

Architect Ray V. Otero selected a hillside lot in Silver Lake affording dramatic city views and built this lovely post and beam for his personal residence in 1961. Highlighted by high ceilings and walls of glass, the residence expresses Otero's Modernist ethic. A recent restoration by Inside Space Interiors brings a fresh vitality.

Manola Court Apartment Building, R.M. Schindler, Architect, 1926-1940

Rudolph Schindler designed Manola Court for his client, artist/designer Herman Sachs over a 14-year period. They are an excellent example of Schindler's abstract style. Located at 1811-1830 Edgecliffe Drive. The entire complex of sixteen residences 'set within hilliside gardens on three adjacent street-to-street parcels' was listed for sale (July 2008) for $3M. A dramatic 2-story owner's loft connects directly to the original studio.

Photo taken from the 1800 block of Lucile Avenue.

Wood Residence, Padraic Cassidy, Architect 2004

Dramatic contemporary home designed by South Pasadena-based architect Padraic Cassidy in 2004. I formerly reported that this home was designed by Kiyohara and Moffit, based upon records at the Los Angeles Department of Building & Safety, and only recently received this correction. The architect was kind enough to offer these great photographs which I am happy to share with you.

The Wood Residence is located at 2048 Kenilworth Avenue in the Moreno Highlands of Silver Lake.

Sokol House, Richard Neutra, Architect- 1948

One of the nine houses comprising the 'Neutra Colony' built incrementally between 1948 and 1961. The Sokol house was the first of the group and is distinctively different from the others. It is also one of the largest of the group, being 2382 square feet. The colony was designed as a 'posturing group' that is, 'the grouping of a team in cooperative action, where each individual posture complements the others and no soulless, mere side-by-side prevails.' The result is a 'community with a sense of sensual, animated tranquility, of accomplished sophistication rendered simply by mature hands. Each house is unique.'

Gumina House, Brian Kutz, Architect (Remodel) 2000

After purchasing the house in 2000, John and Carly Gumina hired Architect Brian Kutz to do an extensive remodel, completely changing the facade of the original house. Located at 3500 Fernwood Avenue in Silver Lake.

Collins Residence, William Kesling, Designer/Builder 1936

The home had the unmistakeable quality of a Kesling Home: small but with elegant style. And of course it was in the area where there are about a half dozen or so surviving Keslings. He even showed me some fine old photographs taken by the great Julius Shulman of the house, and were given to the owner by Mr. Shulman.

The Collins House is located at 1709 Silverwood Terrace.

Garrett-Hansford Residence, Robert Kennard, Architect, 1964

Much admired post + beam located at 2076 Redcliff Street in the Moreno Highlands. The sweeping curve of the east facing glass walls provides dramatic views of the reservoir from every room. A terrace divides the public rooms from the bedrooms.

Glendale/Hyperion Viaduct, John C. Shaw, City Engineer, 1927

The Glendale/Hyperion Viaduct, popularly known as the Hyperion Bridge, was completed in June 1927. It was built by Salih Brothers, Contractors, during the term of George E. Cryer, Mayor of the City of Los Angeles. During its construction, H.J. McGuire was President of the Board of Public Works and Merrill Butler served as the Engineer of Bridges. It spans the Los Angeles River between Atwater Village and Silver Lake and Los Feliz. This picture was taken from the eastern (Atwater Village) side.