Tag Archives: analysis

3D Model, Architecture, Design, Harris House, Schindler

RM Schindler’s Rose Harris House, 1942, Introduction, part 1 of 5

2 Comments

An old favorite, revisited and rediscovered

I have always liked the Harris House, or at least what I knew of it. That was limited to the Julius Shulman photographs of the front and the living room (Figs 1 & 2). I wanted to learn more about it, and was delighted to discover what a wonderful design it is and how much I didn’t know.

 

 Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Sarah Sherman, Reference Librarian and the Getty Research Institute for letting me use Julius Shulman’s Harris House photos. Photos 1,2,5, 6 & 8 are copyright J. Paul Getty Trust. Used with permission. Julius Shulman Photography Archive, Research Library st the Getty Research Institute (204.R.10). Figure 7 is used by permission, The Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles.

Introduction

A good place to start is Schindler’s description of the house, from the January, 1943 issue of arts & architecture magazine 1.  Typically for Schindler, he wrote the description all in capital letters.

Continue reading RM Schindler’s Rose Harris House, 1942, Introduction, part 1 of 5 →
3D Model, Architecture, Design, Erlik House

RM Schindler’s Erlik House, 1950-51

1 Comment

I made this model when I saw photos of the recently restored home, photos that made me want to understand the design. 

This is a late, and relatively unknown, gem designed by architect R.M. Schindler, Los Angeles, 1950-1951.

A small house, a small budget and a difficult site. Schindler managed to use these limitations to make a wonderful “space box”.

I made the model using the information I could find: small floor plans, old and new photos, Schindler’s writings on his systems of construction and dimensions. I haven’t had the opportunity to visit the house.

Images from top to bottom are: front, rear, interior cross section (looking into the Master and Living rooms) and a space volume study

The space volume study shows how the different volumes (formed by different ceiling heights) slide over and do not match the functional spaces below. Ceiling heights step from lowest in blue to highest in purple. Glass is carefully placed so you can see the volumes continuing from room to room. Intricate cabinets/space dividers separate Living from Master, allowing the space to flow between rooms while maintaining privacy.