Calling out all architectural buffs: the Committee to Save Silver Lake's Reservoirs has announced the third ever Modernist home tour, happening Saturday, September 30th. Silver Lake Modernism - Then and Now will showcase homes designed by the likes of Modernist masters Gregory Ain, Ed Fickett, Harwell Hamilton Harris, Richard Neutra, Rudolph Schindler, and Raphael Soriano, alongside the inclusion of contemporary residences designed by Barbara Bestor, Ana Henton, and John Southern. The last event was held six years ago in 2000, so this might be your one chance for a few years to snoop around the homes designed by architectural legends, some which have never been open for public viewing.
"Advance purchase is strongly recommended." $75 for the House Tour and $150 for the House Tour with the Silvertop Gala Reception hosted at John Lautner's world-acclaimed masterpiece, Silvertop.
i went to that one in 2000 and i must say, it was pretty cool to be walking through the two neutra houses on silverlake blvd. plus two schindler properties.....well worth it.
I believe I went on the same tour as Em (if not, a similar one run in conjunction with the LA Conservancy's Modern Committee). This is definitely worth doing! The docents at each house were very knowledgeable on their histories. And Silvertop is quite a site in person with its fully retractable glass wall and infinity pool overlooking Silver Lake!
at that time i was just getting into modern architecture because we had just moved into los feliz and i clearly remember standing in front of the glass sliding door to the patio and thinking this is what it means to have the seamless effect of indoor and outdoor. it was brilliant. it was neat to experience first hand their philosophies about design.
i am also excited to see Barbara Bestor's spaces. even though i don't live in los feliz/silverlake anymore (wish i could afford to buy), her new book really validates why i chose to rent there for so long.
hope to see you there enrique! i have some friends coming with, maybe we can meet up!
em. Schedule permitting, I'll definitely plan on attending this tour. It would be great to see you again! BTW, I just clicked through to the link. I thought that the retractable glass wall opened up to a pool, but I guess I remembered that incorrectly. I know $75 is a steep price for many, but is anybody else planning on attending?
PS Another tour worth checking out (if they do it again) is the LA Conservancy Modern Committee's extensive "How Modern was My Valley" tour.