Discover the revitalized Rudolph Schindler masterpiece, now known as How House, situated in the heart of Los Angeles.
In the heart of Silver Lake, Los Angeles, a modernist gem shines brightly. Spencer Velasquez, the owner of Cometa audio company, acquired this architectural treasure in 2016 – a house designed by Austrian-American architect Rudolph Schindler, famed for his pioneering contributions to early modernist architecture in California.
The How House, built on a steep ridge, exemplifies Schindler's innovative approach to site-specific, climate-adapted architecture. Constructed in 1925, the house showcases Schindler's bold use of hillside sites and open spatial concepts, marking the beginning of his illustrious career in Los Angeles[1][5].
Velasquez, who sometimes pinches himself to be sure that he really lives in the How House, was intrigued by a reference to 'Dr How's magical musical box' in a book about Schindler. This magical box, symbolising Schindler's unique approach to design, is reflected in the house's dynamic living spaces that blend seamlessly with their natural surroundings.
The How House comprises a lower level L-plan of bedrooms and offices in a poured concrete podium, supporting an L-plan of wood-framed living spaces on the upper level[1]. The house features a light well linking the two levels and sweeping vistas, east to the San Gabriel mountains, and west to the Griffith Observatory in the Hollywood Hills.
Velasquez, working with locally-based interior designer Taska Cleveland, formerly the artistic director at Studio Shamshiri, commissioned California-based Santori Woodworking to craft built-in cabinets for the two bedrooms, offices, and kitchen. The lighter tone of the living room makes the room seem larger, while lighting presented a challenge, with the house being very dark at night. Cleveland added unobtrusive brass cylinders that bounce light off the walls to create a soft ambient glow.
Though often associated with Frank Lloyd Wright’s organic architecture, Schindler developed a distinctive style integrating European avant-garde influences and a California sensibility. One of his most notable works linked to Wright is the Hollyhock House, designed originally by Wright for Aline Barnsdall. Schindler's role in carrying the project forward showcases his importance within this significant architectural effort[2].
Schindler's contributions collectively position him as a central figure in Los Angeles architecture, influencing the trajectory of modern design in the region. His role alongside contemporaries like Richard Neutra is noted in shaping California Modernism with promises of biophilic design – connecting interiors with outdoors through open floor plans and expansive glass, concepts that became hallmarks of that era’s architecture[4].
Schindler's house-studio on Kings Road in West Hollywood, with its tilt-up concrete slab walls, redwood roof deck, and sliding doors to open-air living rooms, serves as a testament to his architectural maturity within mid-century modernism[1]. The How House, with its $8,300 construction cost in 1925, has proven to be an extraordinary investment.
References: 1. Modernist Architecture 2. Hollyhock House 3. How House 4. California Modernism 5. Rudolph M. Schindler
- The How House, with its dynamic living spaces that blend seamlessly with their natural surroundings, is a testament to Rudolph Schindler's pioneering contributions to interior design, showcasing his unique approach to layout and integration of outdoor environments.
- The commissioning of custom-made built-in cabinets by California-based Santori Woodworking, overseen by interior designer Taska Cleveland in the How House, highlighted Schindler's lifestyle philosophy, reflecting his emphasis on making homes harmonious extensions of one's personal sense of Californian sensibility.
