Case Study

(or a blog post in which I try to sound smart)

A couple friends and I set out on a Sunday afternoon to find the Eames House or Case Study #8.  I say find because one of the things that are annoying about this city is that on one side of the street the street has one name and on the other a totally different name. (In this case Vance vs. Corona Del Mar.) And once you run into the PCH you are completely screwed for a quick turnaround. So be alert if you want to find this hidden place.

The Eames house was part of the Case Study House program sponsored by Art and Architecture Magazine. The Case Study program houses were designed by major architects in the 40s-60s as experiments in residential architecture that used inexpensive and efficient materials. (See more information on wikipedia) There were quite a few of these in Southern California, the Eames House is neighbored by two or three. Very few are open to the public and even fewer are being lived in.

The Eameses were purveyors of the guest/host relationship. What you notice about #8 is that the house, separated between studio working space and living space, is that it has a flow and takes you from kitchen to dining to this spectacular view of the meadow and the Pacific. Perfect for dinner parties, cooking-dinner-after dinner drinks and sunset. This place really showcases nature, as is true with most glass houses. The Sunday I went the meadow was full of Monarch butterflies.

The day I went the living room was on display at LACMA as part of their California Mondern exhibit, so we were only able to peer in on an empty room.

In addition to being architects of this house, this husband and wife team designed furniture and other interior pieces. Their pieces are asthetic and functional. I am sure some of you have seen their furniture and the Eames Elephant Chair has seen a bit of a revival as of late.

For some reason you cannot take photos of the inside, which is very difficult when it is basically a glass house. So the photos are the best that I could do. I think actually I am not supposed to have these pictures up, but I guess when they ask me to delete this post I will.  My main reason though for this post, as is true with all of my art related posts is that I think you should go and support places like this.  Los Angeles is so keen on erasing its history. As I mentioned in the LA Conservancy post.

The cost to see the Eames House is only $10 and viewings are by appointment. Go to the Eames House Foundation for more information.

As a bonus, the one friend we were with happened to live in case study 18A designed by Rodney Walker. Which was also amazing and very true to its original state. The 1994 earthquake made some changes to the house and sent about 30 feet of meadow down the side of the hill, but still the view of the ocean is spectacular. This was great once in a lifetime opportunity because this house is not on view to the public.

There are very few Case Study houses available for public viewing. Stahl house being next on my list, if I can find a willing participant.

If you are interested in any of what I have written about there is a couple of great documentaries on netflix, which are currently streaming:

Eames: The Architect and the Painter
Julius Schulman: Visual Acoustics