We didn’t know that much about the Schindler House when we visited. We love Architecture and enjoy learning by exploring spaces, we did know that the home is considered the start of modernism in California, and has greatly influenced many who came thereafter. So we put it on the radar for a visit to learn more.
Visiting this house is easy to plan. Turn up Wednesday – thru – Sunday between 11am – 6pm pay at the gate and in you go – no advanced reservations needed. It is a self-guided tour, and there are frequently art exhibitions going on at the same time. We won’t give you the spoiler alert on the history, and stories of it occupants over the years, we have instead opted to share some images and thoughts.
A few things stood out to us: 1] The house is in smack in the middle of West Hollywood, and surrounded by taller 3-4 story structures, it was originally surrounded by open fields – the house feels a little suffocated; 2] it was designed for communal living for 2 families / groups; 3] everything was designed with not a lot of predefined usage of each space, so it allowed for lots of fluidity of use by the occupants; 4] the ornamentation is minimal; 5] the ceilings are incredibly low (the FLW effect); 6] the gardens are gorgeous drawing your eye from the inside out.
It had a very calming effect on both of us, and we could totally visualize this house rebuilt with the same layout, but with new materials, it would be a really lovely place to live in today’s world. We have been know to, on more than one occasion, get into rearranging furniture and artwork in the middle of a dinner party, so we can relate to the idea of ‘flexibility’ in the usage of rooms. Moving a bedroom / study as the seasons change, or just to keep things interesting (cheaper than moving house). And total admiration for their HUGE veggie garden so neatly organized and tucked away behind some growing bamboo screening.
Added bonus: Across the street you can also view, from the exterior only, the equally intriguing, and very distinguished – Rootenberg-Markham House built in 1952.
The Frost House 