This September 23, AIA | Los Angeles will host the first of its Modernist /Contemporary Tours, featuring what is commonly known as the birthplace of the Case Study Program that John Entenza helped to found.
Designed in 1937 by Harwell H. Harris, the John Entenza House in Santa Monica is 850-square-feet of space that melds together indoor and outdoor living seamlessly. In the film Coast Modern, architect Michael Folonis, FAIA, shares how Entenza and Charles & Ray Eames hatched plans for the Case Study House program while sitting on the floor of the home.
Folonis meticulously renovated the home in 1998.
“As an architect with a deep respect for early California Modernists and their work, I am very sensitive to not using a heavy hand while doing restoration work.” said Folonis. “In other words, I want to make sure the original building is restored, not necessarily leave my mark as an architect.”
Folonis, as reported here, believed that in order to do justice to the work, he must first understand it, “We didn’t want to date or copy the home, but rather reinterpret it in a gentle way, therefore making the home more contemporary.” Folonis and his team thoroughly studied Harris’ work, including the original drawings, pulled from the University of Texas at Austin archives.
Don’t miss this great opportunity to tour the home and listen to Michael Folonis recount the ins and outs of restoring such a mid-Century beauty. Tickets can be purchased here.
