The (R.M.) Schindler List: los angeles 1940s

1940

Hitchcock in an article written in December 1940 titled "An Eastern Critic Looks at Western Architecture.": "The case of Schindler I do not profess to understand. There is certainly immense vitality perhaps somewhat lacking among many of the best architects of the Pacific Coast. But the vitality seems in general to lead to arbitrary and brutal effects. Even his work of the last few years reminds one of inevitably of the extreme Expressionist and Neo-Plastic work of the mid-twenties. Schindler's manner does not seem to mature. His continued reflection of the somewhat hectic psychological air of the region, from which all the others have attempted to protect themselves, still produces something of the look of sets for a Wellsian 'film of the future'" (Gebhard 1972 p176) [Hitchcock later retracks this statement in a foreword in Gebhard (1972)]

The Schindlers formally get divorced (Bahr 2007 p153)

1940: Apartment building for S.T. Falk (3631 Carnation Avenue, Los Angeles, California; extant)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p202) [Gebhard shows date as 1939]

"One of the most complex of Schindler's projects because of its triangular, sloping site..." (Steele 2005 p61)

published in Interiors (1944a 1947)

(Gebhard 1993a)

as shown in McCoy (1954 p14)

photo by Julius Schulman

photo by Julius Schulman 1947 (Getty Research Institute)

photo by Fritz Block (source)

photo by the author (Robert E. Mace) 2014

photos from a real estate posting in 2020:

1940: Residence for Gerald J. Droste (2035 Kenilworth Avenue, Los Angeles, California; extant)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii)

Droste was the Dutch consul (McCoy 1960 p173)

(Gebhard 1993a)

photo by Julius Schulman 1978 Getty Research Institute

photo by the author (Robert E. Mace) 2014

1940: House remodel and furniture for G.H. Hodel (1800 Huntington Drive, San Marino, California; ______)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii)

from Gebhard 1993a

c. 1940: Three speculative houses (with E. Richard Lind; 423, 429, and 433 Ellis Avenue, Inglewood, California; extant)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p203)

photo by Julius Schulman (source)

photo by Robert E. Mace (2017)

Two of the three places are side-by-side and considered a duplex with a shared front yard. photo by Robert E. Mace (2017)

The third place was a few houses down the street. photo by Robert E. Mace (2017)

photo by Robert E. Mace (2017)

The front wall cantilevers over the landscape. photo by Robert E. Mace (2017)

photo by Robert E. Mace (2017)

This plywood volume is the backdrop to the dining room. The volume extends out from the wall, leaving a space above, and hosts the closet for a bedroom. photo by Robert E. Mace (2017)

photo by Robert E. Mace (2017)

A light for the walkway. photo by Robert E. Mace (2017)

A better look at the cantilever and the deep overhang. The houses face west, so Schindler was protecting the living room from the sun. photo by Robert E. Mace (2017)

photo by Robert E. Mace (2017)

Although each house is similar, each house sports subtle differences. For example, the fireplaces. photo by Robert E. Mace (2017)

photo by Robert E. Mace (2017)

Nice corner window in the 1980s era remodel of the kitchen. photo by Robert E. Mace (2017)

photo by Robert E. Mace (2017)

The original bathtub/shower. photo by Robert E. Mace (2017)

photo by Robert E. Mace (2017)

1940-2: Residence for J. Rodriguez (1845 Niodrara Drive, Glendale, California; extant)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p203)

Apparently appears in the movie, The Pineapple Express

R.M. Schindler papers, Architecture & Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara (via Gebhard 1972 p172)

via Scheine (1998 p175)

via Scheine (1998 p176)

Google Streetview, accessed by the author on December 22, 2017

1940: Project (photographic studio) for Carl Dial (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1940: Project (residence) for A. Sasha Kaun

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

1940: Project for Lapotka Apartments (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii)

1940: Project (?) for Alfred T. Murray

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

1940: Project (?) for Rancho Descanso

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

1940: Project (residence) for A.M. Sax (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii)

1940: Project (residence) for Jewell Strader (North Hollywood, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii)

1940: Project (residence) for Mrs. Nettie M. Taylor (South Pasadena, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii)

1940: House for Albert Van Dekker (19950 Collier Street, Woodland Hills, California; extant)

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

R.M. Schindler papers, Architecture & Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara (via Gebhard 1972 p173)

R.M. Schindler papers, Architecture & Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara (via Gebhard 1972 p174)

Google Streetview, accessed by the author on December 22, 2017

1940-1: Residence for Samuel Goodwin (3807 Reklaw Drive, Studio City, California; extant)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii)

via Scheine (1998 p170)

Gebhard (1993)

photo by Julius Schulman 1940 Getty Research Center

Julius Schulman (source)

photo by Julius Schulman 1940 Getty Research Center

via Scheine (1998 p171)

Julius Schulman (source)

photo by Fritz Block (source)

Listing photo from 2017

Listing photo from 2018

1940-1: Residence for J.G. Gold (3758 Reklaw Drive, Los Angeles, California; extant, but modified)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxii) [Gebhard shows a date of 1945]

via Scheine (1998 p173)

Gebhard (1993)

photo by Julius Schulman 1947 Getty Research Center

1941

Note from Pauline Schindler to R.M. Schindler dated November 1941: "R M S: Frank Lloyd Wright stopped by to see you, and also at my apartment. I did not see him but telephoned to him at Lloyd's. He says he once wrote you a letter, which he considers that one black mark of his life. Wants you to forgive him." (Park and March 2002 p472)

Pauline Schindler at the Kings Road House in November (via Southern California Architectural History)

1941: Studio-house for Hilaire Hiler (1215 Alta Loma Avenue, Los Angeles, California; destroyed)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii)

Hiler was a painter (Scheine 1998 p23-4)

from Gebhard (1972 p159)

(Gebhard 1993a)

photo by W.P. Woodcock (from Gebhard 1972 p158)

via Scheine (1998 p181)

photo by Fritz Block (source)

1941: Apartment building phase 2 for A.L. Bubeshko (2036 Griffith Park Blvd., Los Angeles, California; extant)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p202)

published in Interiors (1946)

1941: Project (residence) for W. Byers (Van Nuys, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1941: Project (residence) for Ben Carre (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1941: Project (residence) for E.J. Gibling (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii) [Gebhard (1993c) shows 1940-1]

(Gebhard 1993a)

1941: Project (residence) for Hartigan (Hollywood Park, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii)

from Gebhard 1993a

1941: Project (playroom) for William Hiller (North Hollywood, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

from Gebhard 1993a

1941: Project for the Karz Apartments (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii)

1941: Project (residence) for M. Perriere (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii)

1941: Project (?) for S.J. Wegman

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

1941-3: Project (?) for I.M. Zamudio

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

1942

1942: Prototype mobile home for G.G Gordon

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p203)

photo by Julius Schulman 1942 Getty Research Institute

1942: House remodel for Albers (2781 Outpost Drive, Los Angeles, California; _____)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii) Smith and Darling (2001 p227) note this as "Albers Child's Room"

1942: Residence for J. Druckman (2764 Outpost Drive, Los Angeles, California; extant)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii) [Gebhard (1972) shows a date of 1941; Gerhard (1993c) shows a date of 1941-2]

published in California Plan Book (1947)

(Gebhard 1993a)

Julius Schulman 1946 (Getty Research Institute)

photo by Julius Schulman

photo by Julius Schulman (source)

Google Streetview, accessed by the author on December 22, 2017

1942: Residence for Mrs. George (Rose) L. Harris (7940 Willow Glen Road, Los Angeles, California; destroyed by fire)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii) [Gebhard (1993c) shows 1942-4]

Built on top of a flattened ridge (Steele 2005 p68)

Part of the decision to use the ridge as part of the foundation was due to the limited allowed use of concrete during World War II (Steele 2005 p68)

Client was Rose harris, a writer who required seclusion (Steele 2005 p68)

Burned down in 1959 (Morgan 2017)

published in California Arts and Architecture (1943) California Plan Book (1946) The Californian (1946)

via Scheine (1998 p182)

photo by Julius Schulman 1936 [that can't be the correct date since it predates the construction of the house] Getty Research Institute

photo by Julius Schulman 1980 Getty Research Institute

photo by Fritz Block (source)

photo by Fritz Block

photo by Fritz Block (source)

Google Streetview, accessed by the author on December 22, 2017

1942: House remodel for J. Pennington (Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, California; _____)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93 1993c xxii)

published in Interiors (1944b)

1942: Rose Beach House Prototype

photo by Julius Schulman 1942 Getty Research Center

1942: Project (officer's club) for Mrs. Harriet Cody (Palm Springs, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii)

1942: Project (Doradel farm building remodeling) for J.B. DeLee (Plano, Illinois)

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1942: Project (apartment building) for Mrs. S.T. Falk (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxiii) [Gebhard (1993c) shows 1943]

12 one-bedroom units plus a small manager's unit (Scheine 1998 p184)

published in Interiors (1944)

via Scheine (1998 p185)

(via March and Scheine 1985 p182)

(via Interiors 1944 p41)

1942: Project (?) for H.I. Myers

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

1942: Project (?) for Guy Wilson

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

1943

In a letter dated August 10, 1043, to Elizabeth Mock at the Museum of Modern Art, Schindler wrote: "I consider myself the first and still one of the few architects who consciously abandoned stylistic sculptural architecture in order to develop space as a medium of art. I believe that outside of Frank Lloyd Wright I am the only architect in the United States who has attained a distinct local and personal form language." (Gebhard 1972 p176)

1943: Block Apartments Alteration (1724 El Cerrito Place, Los Angeles, California; still exists?)

As noted Smith and Darling (2001 p228)

Google Streetview for June 2017 accessed by the author on December 22, 2017

1943: House remodel for K. Howenstein (2083 Hanscomb Drive, South Pasadena, California; extant, but rough [needs verification])

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii)

from Gebhard (1993c)

from Gebhard (1993c)

Google Streetview, accessed by the author on December 22, 2017

1943: House remodel for M. Langley (841 Stone Canyon, Brentwood, California; _____)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii)

1943-6: House remodel for B. Gingold (Beverly Hills, California; _____)

As noted in Gebhard (1993a)

(Gebhard 1993a)

stools (source):

hassocks (source):

1943: Project (residence) for A. Fisher (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p203)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1943: Project (porch addition) for G. Hammer

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

1943: Project (house remodel) for Clifford Marker (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii)

1943-9: Project (?) for Paul Reps

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

1943: Panel Post Construction System

As noted in Scheine (1998 p186-7)

via Scheine (1998 p186)

via Scheine (1998 p187)

1943: Project for a typical apartment

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p 166-7)

R.M. Schindler papers, Architecture & Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara (via Gebhard 1972 p166)

R.M. Schindler papers, Architecture & Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara (via Gebhard 1972 p167)

1943: Project (?) for Mrs. S. Ulick

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

1943: Project (?) for Western Alcohol Company

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

1944

Schindler: The preliminary design is "..the very crux of the architect's contribution, his main creative effort." (McCoy 1960 p182)

"Art and real architecture is of necessity individual and local and has to have deep roots in soil and national character. No international flora and fauna is possible either." (Schindler 1944a)

Esther McCoy started work in Schindler's office (McCoy 1960 p150)

Esther McCoy in 1944 (source)

1944: Bethlehem Baptist Church (4901 South Compton Avenue, Los Angeles, California; extant)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93), Gebhard (1993c xxii), and Smith and Darling (2001 p 228; they show 1944-5).

Schindler: "Instead of retaining the traditional two-dimensional symbol of agony, the cross is here four dimensional and with outstretched arms invites the congregation to gather under its shadow." (McCoy 1954 p14)

"The colors were indicative of his interest in the total plan; a mulberry gray that deepened into rosy violets and deep plums for the interiors. The scheme was based, he said, upon the skin tones of the worshippers." (McCoy 1960 p182)

published in Interiors (1945)

via Scheine (1998 p189)

(Gebhard 1993a)

R.M. Schindler and Theodore Dreiser with the plans for the church, circa 1944 (source)

as shown in McCoy (1954 p14)

View from the pulpit (photo by Julius Schulman, Julius Schulman Photography Archive, Getty Research Institute, via Southern California Architectural History)

Julius Schulman 1949 (Getty Research Institute)

photo by the author (Robert E. Mace) 2012

photo by the author (Robert E. Mace) 2014

Google Streetview for February 2015 accessed by the author on December 22, 2017

1944: House remodel for Litt (3050 Menlo, Glendale, California; _____)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii)

1944: House remodel for Hazel Nickerson (681 Norton Street, Los Angeles, California; destroyed)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii)

1944: Duplex remodel for Charles Rosoff (6000-6002 La Prada Park, Los Angeles, California; _____)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93 1993c xxii)

1944: Studio annex for Rubin Sabsay (2351 Silver Ridge Avenue, Los Angeles, California; extant)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii) [Gebhard (1993c) shows 1944-52]

Google Streetview, accessed by the author on December 22, 2017

1944: House remodel for W.A. Starkey (2330 Merrywood, Los Angeles, California; still exists)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii) [Gebhard (1993c) shows 1944-5]

1944: Project (?) for Aloha Apartment Hotel (6731 Leland Way, Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

1944: Project (furniture) for Dr. Leo and Zara Bigelman

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii) and Smith and Darling (2001 p228; show 1944-7)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1944: Project (residence remodeling) for T.A. Giannos

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1944: Project (remodeling) for Hollywood Women's Club (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1944: Project (?) for J. Klutch

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

1944: Project (?) for L. Landsburgh

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

1944: Project (?) for John Pennington

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

1944: Project (?) for Maison Rochez

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

1944: Project (?) for Rosson

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

1944: Project (?) for Scheiner

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

1944: Project (?) for School of Tomorrow

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

1944: Project (remodeling an apartment) for Mrs. M (K. Kappes) Thomasset (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p203 1993c xxii)

1945

1945: Residence for Roxy Roth (3624 Buena Park Drive, Studio City, California; extant)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii)

via Scheine (1998 p 194)

photo by Julius Schulman 1947 Getty Research Center

(source 2017)

Google Streetview, accessed by the author on December 22, 2017

1945: Furniture for the Wilshire Medical Offices for Dr. Basia Gingold (Los Angeles, California; still exists)

As noted in Boyd (2007) and Genhard (1993c xxii) [Gebhard shows dates of 1943-6]

Occasional tables c1945, limed pine and plywood (photo source) Sold for $6,500 in 2007.

Occasional tables c1945, limed pine and plywood (photo source) Sold for $7,000 in 2007.

Cantilevered armchair (source). Value estimated at $20,000 to $30,000.

Los Angeles Modern Auctions, Modern Design & Fine Art Auction Featuring an Important Collection of Furniture by R.M. Schindler, 3 December 2006

more photos of the chair (source):

1945: Project (hotel) for Lonny Anson (Los Angeles)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii) and Smith and Darling (2001)

1945: Project for Avon Park Terrace Apartments

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii) and Smith and Darling (2001 p227)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1945: Project (residence) for Dr. Maxim H. Braden (North Hollywood, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii) and Smith and Daring (2001 p228)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1945: Project for a children's dining set

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1945: Project (residence) for Irving Clark

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1945: Project (residence) for Manuel Compinsky (Burbank, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1945: Project (automatic dishwashing machine) for Morris DeLee

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1945: Project (commercial building) for Kessler (Burbank, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

1945: Project (?) for Pennington Estate

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

1945: Project (?) for Schneider

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

1945: Project (residence) for H. Schick (North Hollywood, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii)

1945: Project for the Schindler Frame

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

1945: Project (?) for W.E. Sims

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

1945: Project (?) for Sorrento Ranch Development

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

1945: Project for Space Development

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii) and Scheine (1998 p191)

Floor plans used to demonstrate the principles of his space architecture; he shows the plans at three, seven, and nine feet above the floor (Scheine 1998 p191)

1945-6: Residence for M.T. Daugherty (4635 Louise Avenue, Encino, California; destroyed)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii) [Gebhard (1972) only shows the 1946 date]

Modular beam structure supporting a flat roof (Steele 2005 p73)

published in Arts and Architecture (1950a) Perfect Home (1950)

via Scheine (1998 p 193)

photo by Julius Schulman 1949 Getty Research Institute

(via McCoy 1960 p186)

photo by Julius Schulman 1949 Getty Research Institute

via Scheine (1998 p 193)

Julius Schulman (source)

1945-6: Project (?) for J.G. Gold

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxii)

1945-7: Residence for F. Presburger (4255 Agnes Avenue, Studio City, California; extant; need to check on spelling: Schindler spells their name "Pressburger")

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii) [Gebhard (1972) shows 1945 as the date]

"[Producing as much house as a tight budget and small site would allow] was one of the architect's main strengths, which permitted him to keep producing during the difficult economic times that stalled many others, increasing his oeuvre to a critical mass that commands serious historical consideration rather than making him seem an inconsequential eccentric." (Steele 2005 p79)

"The Presburgers ... presented their architect with a conventional unconventional challenge: build on a small, flat infill lot in the San Fernando Valley. Schindler balked and tried to convince the family to purchase a hillside lot instead. The Presburgers stood firm. And Schindler, who ran in the same progressive political circles as his clients, was moved to build a postwar home on the existing lot." (Winship 2016)

"Because of the cost efficiencies and pragmatic site-planning strategies introduced here, the Pressburger House became a model for contractors during the post-war suburban housing boom which occurred soon after this project was completed." (Steele 2005 p79)

"[The Presburger House] also may be traced in the initial designs of the Case Study House program." (Steele 2005 p79)

published in Sunset (1947)

via Scheine (1998 p 196)

R.M. Schindler papers, Architecture & Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara (via Gebhard 1997 p137)

via Scheine (1998 p 197)

photo by Julius Schulman 1947 Getty Research Institute

Google Streetview, accessed by the author on December 22, 2017

1945-8: Remodeling of the Medical Arts Building for Elmer Rivkin (12307 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, California; _____)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii) [Gebhard (1972) shows 1945 and as a build; Gebhard (1993c) shows 1944-51; Scheine (1998 p190) shows 1944-8, 51]

via Scheine (1998 p190)

Google Streetview, accessed by the author on December 22, 2017

1945-8: Interior design of a medical office for E. Tietz (847 South Santee, Los Angeles, California; ________)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii) [Gebhard (1972) shows the dates as 1946-9; Gebhard (1993c) shows the date as 1944-8]

1945-50: Project (?) for an unidentified medical building

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

1946

Wrote “Reference Frames in Space” in 1932 (but not published until 1946) (Gebhard 1972 p117)

1946: Medical office remodel for B. Gingold (Los Angeles, California; _____)

As noted in Gebhard (1993a)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1946: House remodel for C.E. Harvey (2280 Earl Street, Los Angeles, California; extant)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii)

Google Streetview, accessed by the author on December 22, 2017. There flat-roofed structure is the Schindler.

from Gebhard 1993a

1946: House and Studio for M. Kallis (3580 Multiview Drive, Studio City, California; extant)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii) [McCoy 1960 p182 shows the date as 1947; Gebhard (1993c) shows 1946-51]

Kallis was a painter (Scheine 1998 p23-4)

The house "...is covered with vertical green split-stake wood fencing, mean by Schindler to help the house 'disappear among the trees.'" (Scheine 1998 p198)

"Toward the end of the 1940's, Schindler's concerns about clarity of form gave way to an unabashed expressionism..." (Steele 2005 p75)

"The in-sloping walls of the 1947 Kallis house grew out of the owner's need for a studio in which light entered at right angles to the roof." (McCoy 1960 p182)

"The outward tilting walls of the Kallis House (Studio City, 1946) are sheathed in grapestack, which leaves one wondering: are they fences, or do they have something to do with the actual walls of the building?" (Gebhard 1995 p254)

R.M. Schindler papers, Architecture & Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara (via Gebhard 1997 p138)

via Scheine (1998 p 199)

via Scheine (1998 p 200)

via Scheine (1998 p 201)

(via McCoy 1960 p183)

(via McCoy 1960 p184)

(via McCoy 1960 p185)

R.M. Schindler papers, Architecture & Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara (via Gebhard 1997 p138)

R.M. Schindler papers, Architecture & Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara (via Gebhard 1997 p139)

photo by Robert C. Cleveland (from Gebhard 1972 p180)

via McCoy 1954 p15

from the Ester McCoy archives at the Smithsonian

photo by Fritz Block (source)

listing photo (2016)

1946: Interior design "Lord Leigh Showroom" for Kames Tibias (Los Angeles, California; _______)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Genhard (1993c xxiii)

1946: Desert Residence for Maryon E. Toole (44870 Cabrillo Avenue, Palm Desert, California; extant)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii)

Many sources list the location as Palm Springs, but the house is actually located in Palm Desert.

Many sources spell Ms. Toole's first name as "Marian"; however, Kopp (2013) shows the spelling as "Maryon".

One bedroom, one bathroom about 1,150 square feet in size (Kopp 2013)

Marion Toole served in the Women's Army Corp and was the postmistress for Indian Wells (Kopp 2013)

Community was originally known as Palm Village (and is now Palm Desert) (Kopp 2013)

Schindler described the house as “shaded by an ample but lightly poised roof reminiscent of a giant oak leaf” (Herzog 2014)

Smith and Darling (2001; as quoted in Kopp 2013): "The richness of the Toole House shows an architect in full command of his medium, orchestrating a range of architectural concerns toward a fully integrated whole."

First private residence designated as a local historic landmark by the Palm Desert City Council. (Herzog 2014)

published in Arts and Architecture (1951)

R.M. Schindler papers, Architecture & Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara (via Gebhard 1997 p134)

as shown in McCoy (1954 p13)

via Scheine (1998 p 205)

from Kopp (2013)

via Herzog (2014; photo by Richard Lui, Desert Sun)

via Palm Springs Project

via Michael

Google aerial view, accessed by the author on December 22, 2017.

Google Streetview, accessed by the author on December 22, 2017.

1946: Pottery works for Paula West (Los Angeles, California; destroyed)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii) [Steele notes just pottery; Gebhard (1993c) shows 1946-8]

1946: Project (apartment and medical building remodeling) for Chevalier

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1946: Project (commercial and office remodeling) for Courcio

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1946: Project (commercial building remodeling) for Ben David

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

Gebhard (1993c xxi)

1946: Project (apartment building remodeling) for Leo Gallagher (1223-7 Elysian Park Avenue, Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1946: Project (house addition) for Leo Gallagher (3135 Oakcrest Drive, Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1993a)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1946: Project (?) for B. Gingold

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

1946: Project (residence) for Mrs. Frances Howatt (Laguna Beach, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii)

from Gebhard (1993c)

1946: Project (residence) for Beata Inaya (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

1946: Project (residence) for E.L. Kermin

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

1946: Project (Kermin Medical Building) for Henry Kermin (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii)

1946: Project (residence) for Henry Kermin (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii)

1946: Project (apartment building) for Kessler

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

1946: Project (?) for a Modern Shop

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

1946: Project for the Rosedale Avenue Apartments (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii) [Gebhard (1993c) shows Redesdale]

1946: Project (residence) for R.M. Spangler (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxii) [Gebhard (1993c) shows 1941-6]

1946: Project (?) for Ralph Steiner

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

1946: Project (?) for an unidentified residence

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

1946: Project (?) for Miss Anna M. Wong

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

1946-8: Residence for Richard Lechner (11606 Amanda Drive, Studio City, California; extant)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii) [Gebhard (1972) shows 1948; Gebhard (1993c) shows 1946-50]

published in Arts and Architecture (1950b)

via Scheine (1998 p 206)

via Scheine (1998 p 207)

photo by Robert C Cleveland (from Gebhard 1972 p181)

(via McCoy 1960 p188)

(via McCoy 1960 p189)

(via March and Sheine 1985 p6)

via Steele 2005 p81

2017 (source)

1946-8: Residence for Joseph L. Armon (470 Canyon Vista Drive, Los Angeles, California; extant)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii) [the Gebhards and Scheine (1998) shows 1946-9; Smith and Darling 2001 show 1947-50]

(Gebhard 1993a)

(via Scheine 1998 p211)

(via Scheine 1998 p210)

(via Scheine 1998 p212)

(via Scheine 1998 p213)

Desk for the House (source). Value estimated at $30,000 to $50,000.

Google Streetview, accessed by the author on December 21, 2017

1946-53: Project (commercial building remodeling) for Morris DeLee (5834 National Boulevard, Culver City, California; ________)

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1946-7: The Schindler Frame

Schindler publishes "Reference Frames in Space" in Architect and Engineer (Schindler 1946)

Schindler publishes "The Schindler Frame" in the Architectural Record (Schindler 1947)

"Studs are cut to door height, rather than ceiling height, providing the continuous double top plate at six feet nine inches above the floor. This is the crucial invention, freeing the walls from a fixed structural relationship with the roof and ceiling zone without compromising the lateral integrity of the framing.
"All openings run up to the underside of the upper top plate. The usual fussiness of lintels and stud framing above openings is eliminated, simplifying framing; at the same time, the elimination of the lower top plate above window or door openings allows a great spatial continuity across walls.
"Roof framing is based on one-and-five-eighth- inch-thick tongue-and-groove wood decking, with a span capacity of up to ten feet. The use of decking frees the roof structure from the staccato sixteen-inch member spacing of the wall, allowing a contrasting legato at the soffit with member spacing at four feet, six feet, or six feet eight inches." (Mannell 2006 p32)

via Mannell 2006 p32

1947

1947: Project (residence) for Alexander Borisoff (La Pres Drive, Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii) and Smith and Darling (2001 p228)

1947-8: Project (cabin remodeling) for Dr. Maxim H. Braden (8854 Lookout Mountain Avenue, Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1947: Project (commercial building remodeling and furniture) for Chaplain

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1947: Project (commercial and apartment building) for Courcio (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1947: Project (residence) for Mr. and Mrs. Albert Dekker

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1947-8: Project (office remodeling) for J. Druckman (Beverly Hills, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1947: Project for a medical office for Alfred Gross

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

from Gebhard 1993a

1947: Project (?) for Lester Horton

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

from Gebhard 1993a

1947: Project to add an apartment to the first floor of the Lovell Beach House

As noted in Sarnitz (1986 p376)

1947: Project (residential) for Madanmohan Mangaldas (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii)

1947: Project (resthome) for H. Schick and Associates (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii) [Gebhard (1993c) shows 1947-8]

from Gebhard 1993a

1947-51: Project (?) for Harry Taylor

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

1947: Project (residential) for Taylor Trumbo (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii)

1947: Project for theoretical space development

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204)

1947: Project (duplex) for Frank Virginia (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii)

1948

Schindler (center) at a party at the Kallis House, R.M. Schindler papers, Architecture & Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara (via Gebhard 1997 p29)

1948: Project for a drive-in theater

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204)

1948: Project (residence) for E.J. Gibling (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204)

1948: Project (apartment building remodeling) for Beata Inaya

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiii)

1948: Project (office building) for Mayers Company (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1993c p39-46 1193c xxiii)

1948: Project (apartment building) for P.P. Out (Beverly Hills, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204)

1948: Project (residence) for Mrs Mildred Sax (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiii)

1948: Project (motel) for Schick and Associates (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204)

1948: Project (?) for R. Sloan

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiv)

1948: Project (?) for E. Uman

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiv)

as shown in Gebhard (1993c p41)

1948-9: Laurelwood Apartments (11833 Laurelwood Drive, Studio City, California; extant)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1993c xxiii) [Gebhard and Scheine (1998) show 1946-9]

20 units (Steele 2005 p83)

(via March and Scheine 1985 p69)

(via Scheine 1998 p208)

(via Scheine 1998 p209)

(via Scheine 1998 p208)

R.M. Schindler papers, Architecture & Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara (via Gebhard 1997 p135)

photo by Julius Schulman 1986 Getty Research Institute

(via Scheine 1998 p209)

Listing photo from 2018

1948-9: Residence for Miss Ellen Janson (8704 Skyline Drive, Los Angeles, California; extant)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiv)

Schindler's last companion (de Michelis 2005 p11)

"...one of his most unusual designs..." (Steele 2005 p85)

"Witty, low-cost house..." (McCoy 1954 p15)

Schindler: House was designed "...to explore the possibilities translucent material for walls." (McCoy 1954 p15)

Plastic sheets were used on north and east walls (McCoy 1954 p15)

"There is no internal stair connecting the living and study levels; each is entered from the exterior, as if they are separate units." (Scheine 1998 p214)

Ms. Janson on her house (Scheine 1995 p245):

'I had always wanted to live in the sky. Then I came to know a space architect.
The architect asked me, "how would you like a house made of cobwebs?"
"Yes, I should love it, for they wouldn't shut away the sky at all. But how would you hang up the cobwebs?"
"On sky-hooks", he said'

"The general feel of the Jansen House is that of incompleteness, as if the builder had through neglect left his temporary scaffolding behind..." (Gebhard 1995 p254)

(via Scheine 1998 p215)

Ellen Janson at her house during construction (via Southern California Architectural History)

(via March and Scheine 1985 p249)

(from Alzpun 2012)

photo by Robert A. Lodder (from Gebhard 1972 p185)

as shown in McCoy (1954 p14)

(via March and Scheine 1985 p250)

(via Scheine 1998 p215)

(from Alzpun 2012)

Side chair (source) Sold for $5,000 in 2011.

Side chair (source) Value estimated at $6,000 to $8,000.

Armchair (source) Sold for $31,200 in 2008.

armchair (source):

Google Streetview, accessed by the author on December 22, 2017

1948-9: Project (?) for Peter Paul Ott

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiv)

1949

The Museum of Modern Art spurned Schindler again in 1949 in a show on Modern in America. (Gebhard 1972 p187)

letter to Pauine Schindler concerning painting her half of the Schindler-Chace House

from the Esther McCoy archives at the Smithsonian

Schindler's list of his buildings that "seem to have special architetural interest and historical meaning in the development of contempory architecture"

from the Esther McCoy archives at the Smithsonian; handwritten notes by McCoy

1949: House remodel for Mrs. Barbara Myers (2040 Oakstone Way, Hollywood, California; ________)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p205 1993c xxiv) [Gebhard (1993c) shows 1949-50]

Google Streetview, accessed by the author on December 22, 2017

1949: Project (?) for a bachelor unit (5435 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiv)

1949: Project for a Beverly Hills penthouse (Beverly Hills, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204)

1949: Project (residence) for Louis Blembel (2103 Sunset Plaza Drive, Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiv) and Smith and Darling (2001 p228)

(Gebhard 1993a)

1949: Project (duplex remodeling) for a Beata Inaya

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiv)

1949: Project (Washington Palace Hotel) for H. Schick (Los Angeles, California)

As noted in Gebhard (1972 p204)

1949: Project (?) for Robert Sontag

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiv)

1949: Project (?) for Valley Hospital Pharmacy

As noted in Gebhard (1993c xxiv)

1949-50: Residence for Adolfe Tischler (175 Greenfield Avenue, Westwood, California; extant)

As noted in Steele (2005 p93) and Gebhard (1972 p204 1993c xxiv) [Gebhard 91993c) shows 1949-52]

Tischler was a silversmith (Goldin 2001)

Used translucent blue fiberglass panels of the roof (Steele 2005 p87)

"The Tischler House (1949) in Bel Air may be the most fully developed expression of Schindler's space architecture." (Scheine 1985 p245)