The Stahl House

Six months ago, Larry asked me what I wanted for my birthday in July. I really didn't want anything. If I need something, I just buy it for myself. At this time in our lives, we're trying to get rid of STUFF!  I did ask Larry to take me on a tour of the Stahl House in the Hollywood Hills.  Larry has been there a few times, but every time he was there with the Modern Committee of the L.A. Conservancy, I could never make it across town in time from my office in Santa Monica to go on the tour. Larry tried to book a tour for my birthday month, but the tour gets booked up rather quickly. The first date available was in September.

The Stahl House, also known as Case Study House #22, is a modernist-styled house designed by architect Pierre Koenig. Koenig's clients were Buck and Carlotta Stahl. Stahl and Koenig collaborated on the design of the home. There is a book coming out in November all about the building of this house called, "The Stahl House, Case Study House #22, The Making of a Modernist Icon."  Two of the Stahl children have contributed considerably to this Chronicle Book.

The Stahl House was made even more famous by a Julius Shulman photograph showing two women leisurely sitting in a corner of the house with a panoramic view of the city through floor-to-ceiling glass walls.

Photo by Julius Shulman, 1960

In 1999 the house was declared a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument.  The Case Study House Program was started in 1945 to serve as a model for post-war living. All of the homes were built with affordability in mind, using easy to obtain materials and simple design.

The Stahl House is an excellent example of this simple design. It is an L-shaped structure, made from steel and glass construction. The new book goes into detail about the grading of the lot, the design and engineering process and other architectural feats.

The home has been used as a location in numerous movies and television shows. Even the Simpsons had a party at the Stahl House!

Scene from "The Simpsons" 2009 at The Stahl House

Larry booked the last tour of the day, beginning at 6:30 pm. This is the perfect time to go. You get to see the house in daylight and then stay for the sunset, into darkness. The City of Los Angeles lights up below the house, making it a magical experience. We stayed 90 minutes. We were allowed to roam throughout the home and take cellphone photos. 

Toward the end of the tour, we all gathered in the living room (furniture designed by Design Within Reach) and listened to the docent talk about the house. Because we were allowed to stay for such a long time, I really felt like I was a guest at a party. I could experience what it may have been like to live here. It was a wonderful time. Thank you, Larry!