By Billy Rose
On September 15, from 4p – 6p, renowned visionary architect Ray Kappe, FAIA, will host Santa Monica Conservancy members and friends at Mr. Kappe’s personal residence, the Kappe House, in Rustic Canyon (photo gallery).
I have visited this award-winning architectural achievement on a couple occasions, and I still carry vivid and fond memories of it.
The Conservancy, which was formed a decade ago to celebrate and protect Santa Monica’s historic and architectural treasures, describes the home as follows:
“Built on a steep hillside over a running brook, six concrete towers rise into the trees, carrying the structural loads of the house as well as containing rooms and bringing light inside through skylights. Immense laminated wood beams run horizontally to create multi-levels of living space, resulting in complex and interconnected spaces.
Rooms merge into the surrounding landscape with dramatically cantilevered decks, extended beams and glass walls, creating the ultimate tree house. A bridge over the creek leads to the front door, and after climbing stairs in a confined space – Kappe’s trademark wood butcher block stairs – the space opens up dramatically to different levels and heights. All the furniture and cabinetry, except for the Eames chairs, was designed by him.”
Tickets are $150 for Conservancy members, $175 for the general public. For more information on this event, see http://www.smconservancy.org/
For more information on Kappe, one of the founders of Downtown LA’s innovative architecture school – SCI-ARC, see http://www.kappedu.com/