It all started at the corner
I am fascinated by the front corner of the Oliver House. What makes it so dramatic and interesting? It looks so simple, yet there is something about it I can’t quite figure out. After a lot of thinking and analysis, I’m still not sure I know what’s happening at this corner, but I do have some things to say about it.
NOTE: This series will look only at the shape, or form, of the front of the Oliver House, focusing on the corner. I won’t be looking at the interior or rear, which are very different from the front.
The Oliver House was built in the Silverlake area of Los Angeles in 1933-34. Another of his Plaster Skin designs of this period, it is one of Schindler’s most famous houses. The site slopes up about 20′ from the street to a level area in the middle of the deep lot. A 2 car garage is located down at the street, set into the slope and close to the curb. The house is set mostly on the slope, preserving the flat area for a yard. A play room on the lower level of the house opens up to a terrace on the garage roof. The main areas of the house, 3 bedrooms, living and dining open up to the yard. The house is turned at a 45 degree angle to the street and garage. Schindler’s explanation was that turning the main house gave views out to Silver Lake. While that may be true, I think he had other 
reasons for the angle, as I will discuss in later articles.
NOTES
.Although I won’t be talking about the interior in this series, it is important to note that the house only appears to have a flat roof from the front. The main roof/ceiling is an asymmetrical gable.
.The angled steel frames and wires at the front of the garage are a vine trellis.
Figure 1 Photo from street, by Steve Wallet
Figure 2 3D model from the same angle, with transparent trees to show the entire front
Figure 3 Main floor plan
Figure 4 Model with plan below, showing relationship of rooms to the building form
Figure 5 Animation from the street to the front door
Figure 6 Undated early photograph, collection of Steve Wallet