by Peter Noever

In his 1926 article, "Care of the Body," in the Los Angeles Times, Rudolf Schindler describes the house of the future: "Our rooms will descend close to the ground, and the garden will become an integral part of the house. The distinction between the indoors and the out-of-doors will disappear. The walls will be few, thin, and removable. All rooms will become parts of an organic unit instead of being small separate boxes with peep-holes."

The Kings Road House (1922), which Schindler designed as a "cooperative dwelling" for his family and their friends, the Chaces, exemplifies these principles.

Its innovative typology, combined with the application of utopian ideals, was remarkably innovative at the time of its construction, and contributed to the development of a uniquely Californian residential architecture. Originally considered radical and unconventional, the house is now recognized as one of the most important buildings in modern architecture.

Located on a large city lot, 100 by 200 feet (30 by 60 meters), this house in West Hollywood is set back from the street, occupying the middle portion of the site, but extends almost to the property limits on each side. The genius of the plan is in the integration of the building and landscape. Schindler considered the entire lot as living space, divided into enclosed and open zones.   >>>

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Kings Road House, front yard, 1995, designed by Austrian modernist, Rudolf Schindler. Photo: Gerald Zugmann/ MAK Kings Road House, original plan, 1921. Image: Rudolf Schindler Extra Large Image   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.