Wednesday, July 10, 2013

The Krisel Residence

The Krisel Residence
Krisel Residence watercolor rendering by William Krisel, from 1955. From the Krisel Archive at the Getty Research Institute.
The positive feedback about this house has been overwhelming since I posted this rendering on my Flickr page a few weeks ago. I also had a fair number of questions about it, and people wondering whether it had ever been built. Well, the answer to that question is a definite YES, and here are the photos to prove it...
I don't normally post many photos from other photographers on this blog. But I don't have any of my own of this wonderful home. And considering the architect and the photographer, I thought it was well worth making an exception here. All of these photos are the work of Julius Shulman, used with permission from the Krisel Archive of the Getty Research Institute. 
Krisel Res. JS-2764-1
View of the north and west elevations, approaching from the driveway.
Photo by Julius Shulman, from the Krisel Archive at the Getty Research Institute.
The architect William Krisel, AIA, started designed and built this home in 1955-57, on a lot that he and his wife, Corinne, had acquired in the hills of Brentwood - not far from where the Getty Center now sits.

This is probably one of the most liveable homes I've ever seen. It flows beautifully and has an understated elegance about it. My favorite feature is the water fountain behind the front entrance screen.
Krisel Res., JS-2764-5

Those walls of windows and clerestories are very effective at conveying the impression that the roof is truly floating. The wood detail on the fireplace and some of the walls is a classic Krisel signature.
Krisel Res., JS-2764-7  
With the southwesterly views out across Brentwood, Santa Monica, and Pacific Palisades, with the ocean beyond...
Krisel Res., JS-2764-6

And a view from the fireplace in the living area, looking back towards the entrance (on the left) and the dining area.
Krisel Res., JS-2764-8

View of the kitchen, which seems way ahead of its time. I note that we have those same "waterfall" kitchen countertops in our own house! The informal dining area and family room/den are just to the left of this shot.
Krisel Res., JS-2764-15

Here's a view of the informal dining area and family room/den, seen from the kitchen.
Krisel Res., JS-2764-10

And from the family room, into the kitchen.
Krisel Res., JS-2764-9

And here is the master bedroom...
Krisel Res., JS-2764-12

I particularly love this little atrium courtyard area. A great idea for bringing the outdoors and natural light into the area.
Krisel Res., JS-2764-11

And finally the master bathroom...
Krisel Res., JS-2764-13

From this shot of the back patio and yard, you can clearly see another classic Krisel detail, that sunflap, which provides an effective way to shield the sun from the windows. It is a common element on Krisel's work.
Krisel Res., JS-2764-4

Here's a final view of the backyard...
Krisel Res., JS-2764-2

13 comments:

Dana S. Whitney said...

I so miss MY childhood mid-century house... AND my uncles. WHY can't "they" make houses like this anymore? Really. Why not?

modarchitecture said...

It's as if the entire country suffered a collective loss of imagination after about 1975.

sean said...

Very true Darren. Great house, does this still exist in brentwood?

modarchitecture said...

Yes, Sean. The house does indeed still exist!

sean said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
solete said...

Sadly, the house does not exist anymore. >> http://la.curbed.com/archives/2014/04/william_krisels_midcentury_dream_home_in_brentwood_is_being_demolished_right_now.php

Montana Wildhack said...

Who the h*ll buys something this beautiful just to tear it down?

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