One of the most iconic and famous houses by famed architect John Lautner has just been donated to the Los Angeles Contemporary Museum / LACMA and Spencer had the opportunity to photograph James and his amazing house for the new issue of SURFACE Magazine.
Designed by Lautner in the early 1960’s and construction was started in 1963 the home was originally built for Helen and Paul Sheats and their three children.
There were two subsequent owners James Goldstein a businessman and real estate investor , purchased the residence in 1972, in a state of some disrepair. Goldstein commissioned John Lautner to work on the transformation of the house; a series of remodelings that would encompass the entire house over a period of more than two decades. Goldstein worked with Lautner until the architect’s death in 1994 on what they called “perfecting” the house.
The bequest, announced recently includes an endowment of $17 million for a maintenance fund, as well as a so-called skyspace artwork by James Turrell and a building adjacent to the main house holding an office and nightclub. The museum has estimated the total value of the gift at $40 million, though Goldstein called that figure “conservative.”
“For me it ranks as one of the most important houses in all of L.A.,” said Michael Govan, the museum’s director and chief executive. “And as one of the most L.A. houses, because of its connection to the view, that long view toward the ocean.”
06/8/2016 | Posted by Eye Forward
Categories: Editorial
Tags: http://www.surfacemag.com/, www.spencerlowell.com
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