Pierre Koening's experimental design in Hollywood used pre-made materials such as the steel frame and glass walls that could be easily assembled on site.
The glass ceiling and walls exposed the steel frame, which made it a prominent feature of the structure. Protective panels covered the glass exterior providing protection against the sun, and were used as a substitute for a traditional roof.
Koenig considered the water as part of the design. The pools surrounding the house reflected its profile while it was hydraulically pumped to the roof to fall back again in the pools below, creating a fountain-effect. Another peculiarity of the CSH #21 are the centrally located bathrooms and water heating system located in the heart of the house with the main scope of dividing common and private spaces.
The Case Study House #21 represented, within all the steel houses projects built until then, the acme in planning, and developing; its plan and execution are heretofore considered experimental. The careful use of already made steel elements, made this project luxurious without being expensive.
A house, surrounded completely by water introduces a new concept in the use of water as an integral structure and landscape element. There is no dichotomy involved; rather an architectural whole is achieved as the water reflects and amplifies the linear quality of the structure while adding serenity and aesthetic beauty.
The water and the steel structure constitute the theme of the house, enriched with the brick terraces that add another texture. Spanning the pool the terraces provide direct access to the public areas of the house, a pool is located also in the court of the house - to provide a continuity of theme- where the water falls on a mosaic tile wall.
The open-plan lounge and kitchen has views of the canyon on one side and leads out to the courtyard from large, floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors. This is middle point of the house with its 2 bathrooms.
Koenig particularly cared to link the different areas of the house: living space,internal patio, bathrooms and bedrooms. It is possible to access the bathrooms through either the bedrooms or the court, directly accessible from the bedrooms or the living room; also the bedrooms are communicating with each other by a passage close to the storage wall closed by a sliding door.
The glass ceiling and walls exposed the steel frame, which made it a prominent feature of the structure. Protective panels covered the glass exterior providing protection against the sun, and were used as a substitute for a traditional roof.
Koenig considered the water as part of the design. The pools surrounding the house reflected its profile while it was hydraulically pumped to the roof to fall back again in the pools below, creating a fountain-effect. Another peculiarity of the CSH #21 are the centrally located bathrooms and water heating system located in the heart of the house with the main scope of dividing common and private spaces.
The Case Study House #21 represented, within all the steel houses projects built until then, the acme in planning, and developing; its plan and execution are heretofore considered experimental. The careful use of already made steel elements, made this project luxurious without being expensive.
A house, surrounded completely by water introduces a new concept in the use of water as an integral structure and landscape element. There is no dichotomy involved; rather an architectural whole is achieved as the water reflects and amplifies the linear quality of the structure while adding serenity and aesthetic beauty.
The water and the steel structure constitute the theme of the house, enriched with the brick terraces that add another texture. Spanning the pool the terraces provide direct access to the public areas of the house, a pool is located also in the court of the house - to provide a continuity of theme- where the water falls on a mosaic tile wall.
The open-plan lounge and kitchen has views of the canyon on one side and leads out to the courtyard from large, floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors. This is middle point of the house with its 2 bathrooms.
Koenig particularly cared to link the different areas of the house: living space,internal patio, bathrooms and bedrooms. It is possible to access the bathrooms through either the bedrooms or the court, directly accessible from the bedrooms or the living room; also the bedrooms are communicating with each other by a passage close to the storage wall closed by a sliding door.
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The Case Study House #21 is an amazing example of mid century modern architecture, check the best mid century modern homes ever on the Mid Century Home blog.
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