Run! Don't walk ...

... to the Hammer Museum in Westwood and tour the John Lautner (architect) Between Earth and Heaven exhibit now on view through October. There are so many fascinating elements to his work it's tough to know where to begin. Take, for example, the famous Elrod house in Palm Springs, Calif. Situated above the skyline, it is literally built into the desert crust where boulders form walls and structural strength all the while adding detail to this surprisingly warm concrete haven. During construction Lautner experienced a typical desert windstorm causing him to adapt his original plan to the inevitability of the elements. This anecdote causes me to wonder about geological forces as I gazed upon the model and accompanying video clip of this house and others. A "feeling of freedom" and lack of spacial separation make Lautner's work so special and beautiful. His designs aim to incorporate the dwelling into it's natural surroundings drawing inspiration from the topography; ultimately creating a building that takes full advantage of nature's beauty while quite literally becoming a part of it.

All of them obviously Lautner, each of his designs are unique in their own way given landscape and other constraints. Some might think he takes himself too seriously or that the houses are self aggrandizing in some way but I think what is so appealing about him is that he is a problem solver - 40% grade on your 2000 square foot hillside lot? no problem, we'll just build it on concrete stilts high above the tree line as he did with the chemosphere. They are all open and free-flowing with limited obstructions and seek to enhance the environment- inside and out. A couple of houses have exteriors walls that open to the atmosphere at the touch of a button. My favorites are right here in the LA area: The Carling residence and the Walstrom residence. Marbrisa in Acapulco is a masterpiece too. Which one is your favorite?

Thanks for the turn on, Lil.

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Joining company with other greats like I.M. Pei, Neutra and Frank Lloyd Wright - incidentally Lautner was Wright's understudy - many of Lautner's gems light up Los Angeles architecture. LA is a mecca of converging styles and artistic vision. On display in its vastness are bygone eras of various influences - including social and political with art and design being the nucleus. Architecture Tours LA, guided by an architecture expert, orchestrates neighborhood tours to laud some of these masterpieces.