136 DIGS.NET
|
12.16.2016
Three L.A. homes that define the modernist aesthetic
offer a blueprint for contemporary living
W R I T T E N BY W E N DY B OW M A N
Design TIMES
OF
THE
Cohen Residence
e Earl Residence
Eichler Update
M
id-century modern design has become a big hit since its introduction in the 1950s, and
thanks to recent TV shows such as Mad Men, its sleek and progressive signature style is
more popular now than ever. Nowhere is this more evident than in L.A., home to a wealth
of influential modern architecture, with many works in the category considered landmarks.
"Los Angeles offered an open palette for experimentation for famous mid-century architects,"
says Trevor Abramson, design principal at Culver City-based Abramson Teiger Architects, an
award-winning firm known for its striking contemporary designs. "Many of the most iconic
homes from that era are still standing all throughout L.A. today, and their untouched authenticity
makes them all the more valuable to historians and architect lovers alike."
Today, the mid-century aesthetic is present in many aspects of modern home design—with
standout features including a strong indoor-outdoor connection, along with light-filled open
floor plans, and the expression of structure as a form of beauty and design clarity. "Homeowners
today are interested in a casual living experience that reinforces a connection to nature," says
Abramson. "They are conscious of how a home's footprint impacts the environment and want
homes that speak to this connection."
Here, a tour of three of the city's mid-century modern masterpieces.