THE EUROPEAN INFLUENCES OF EARLY MODERNISM AND MINIMAL TRADITIONAL

The European Influences of Early Modernism and Minimal Traditional

Thank you to Sunset Magazine for including me in an article on the 100 Years of L.A. Architecture. Not only is it a pleasure to sell these wonderful homes, but it’s exciting to know there’s an audience that appreciates them. We hope these special homes in Los Angeles and beyond can last for many years into the future.

Right before the 1940s, both the city and the nation saw a number of people immigrating from Europe. This brought over architectural ideas that began on the continent. Brian Courville, director of the Architectural Division at Compass, names Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius as integral to the rise of early modernism and the Minimal Traditional style. Mies and Gropius served as director and founder of the Bauhaus School, respectively. The Bauhaus School “embraced the idea that form follows function,” according to Courville.

While war was raging and resources were limited, design turned away from the complexities of the previous decades and toward very functional or minimal design. Courville says Richard Neutra and Rudolph Schindler were important figures of the movement, and sought to discover materials and processes that made building and owning homes as cost-effective as possible.

Courville says the design styles of the 1940s were also the “the design catalyst” of mid-century modern. Building on the simplicity of the early modernism and the Minimal Traditional style, this movement brought about simply designed homes with intentional connection to the surrounding landscape.

Brian Linder, a licensed architect and real estate broker, describes “open floor plans, large windows, the integration of indoor and outdoor spaces, and flat roofs” as primary features of the style. The recovery period following World War II meant people were still looking for the most cost-effective ways to live. The Case Study House program, which sponsored and commissioned architects to create inexpensive model homes, launched in 1945 but really took off in the 1950s.

Modern Living LA is a real estate team that specializes in well-designed homes filled with character and style, including architectural, historic, and classic Los Angeles homes.

If you would like to know more about this amazing home, contact Brian Courville at 310.622.0312.
Or, for additional Mid-Century Modern | Architectural homesSpanish homes, Historic Los Angeles homes or Classic Los Angeles homes for sale reach us by email at: Brian Courville. If you are considering selling, contact us for a free no-obligation home valuation.

Named One of the 7 Best Websites for Modernist Real Estate Worldwide by The Spaces

STUDIO CITY RUDOLPH M. SCHINDLER’S THE LECHNER HOUSE

Studio City Rudolph M. Schindler’s The Lechner House

Studio City Rudolph M. Schindler’s The Lechner House

11600 AMANDA DRIVE, STUDIO CITY | $6,500,000 | 4 BD | 3.5 BA

You’re in for a treat. The Lechner House in Studio City is one of Rudolph M. Schindler’s most celebrated residential architectural works. Known for his innovative use of organic materials, spatial rhythm, and connection to nature, Schindler’s vision comes alive here with walls of glass that open interiors to expansive, park-like grounds flooding every room with natural light and framing cinematic views.


If you would like to know more about this amazing home, contact Brian Courville at 310-622-0312. Or, for additional Mid-Century Modern | Architectural homesSpanish homes, Historic Los Angeles homes or Classic Los Angeles homes for sale reach us by email at: Brian Courville. If you are considering selling, contact us for a free no-obligation home valuation.

Named One of the 7 Best Websites for Modernist Real Estate Worldwide by The Spaces

SANTA MONICA THE STRICK HOUSE OSCAR NIEMEYER

Santa Monica the Strick House Oscar Niemeyer

Santa Monica the Strick House by Oscar Niemeyer

1911 LA MESA DR | SANTA MONICA | $19,995,000 | 5 BD | 6 BA

There’s significant, and then there’s the Strick House. Completed in 1964 by Oscar Niemeyer, his only residential commission in North America, this Modernist estate in Santa Monica’s La Mesa Drive architectural enclave is the very definition of pedigree. Positioned above the Riviera Country Club with 14? ceilings and walls of glass, this home sits on over half an acre of lush, tropical landscaping. Crown jewel status, confirmed

If you would like to know more about this amazing home, contact Brian Courville at 310-622-0312. Or, for additional Mid-Century Modern | Architectural homesSpanish homes, Historic Los Angeles homes or Classic Los Angeles homes for sale reach us by email at: Brian Courville. If you are considering selling, contact us for a free no-obligation home valuation.

Named One of the 7 Best Websites for Modernist Real Estate Worldwide by The Spaces

ENCINO THE STRAWBERRY HOUSE BY BENTON AND PARK, AIA C.1964

Encino The Strawberry House by Benton and Park, AIA c.1964

Encino The Strawberry House by Benton and Park, AIA c.1964

17061 STRAWBERRY DRIVE, ENCINO | 4 BD | 4 BA | 3,368 SF

I’d call this a flashback Friday, but this is actually for sale again. We here at Modern Living LA sold this Benton and Park Palm Springs style mid-century modern in Encino a few years back. It takes less than 10 seconds upon entry to understand exactly how cool this architectural house is; looking past the double door entryway to the terrazzo floor past the floor to ceiling walls of glass over the swimming pool into the panoramic view of the San Fernando Valley. You almost don’t even need to see the rest of the house. 


If you would like to know more about this amazing home, contact Brian Courville at 310-622-0312. Or, for additional Mid-Century Modern | Architectural homesSpanish homes, Historic Los Angeles homes or Classic Los Angeles homes for sale reach us by email at: Brian Courville. If you are considering selling, contact us for a free no-obligation home valuation.

Named One of the 7 Best Websites for Modernist Real Estate Worldwide by The Spaces