The best houses of all time in L.A.

Image 11 of 21

Stories by Sean Mitchell                    

<b>5. Stahl House Case Study House No. 22 Pierre Koenig Hollywood Hills, 1960</b><br>
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Whatever the historical and intrinsic values of the other houses on this list, probably none is more famous in the public imagination than Koenig's 20th century glass-and-steel house. The iconic photograph of it taken by Julius Shulman shows the sleek living room seemingly flying off a cliff in the Hollywood Hills, the romantic nighttime grid of the city flickering far below. Where else could such a photograph have been taken? This was more than just a home. It was a vision of Los Angeles as the future. "It's a pleasure to be in that house," said David Travers, formerly editor of Arts & Architecture magazine. "I don't know what it's like to live there, but the pleasure principle is heavy in my list."

( Julius Shulman Photography Archive; J. Paul Getty Trust )

5. Stahl House Case Study House No. 22 Pierre Koenig Hollywood Hills, 1960

Whatever the historical and intrinsic values of the other houses on this list, probably none is more famous in the public imagination than Koenig's 20th century glass-and-steel house. The iconic photograph of it taken by Julius Shulman shows the sleek living room seemingly flying off a cliff in the Hollywood Hills, the romantic nighttime grid of the city flickering far below. Where else could such a photograph have been taken? This was more than just a home. It was a vision of Los Angeles as the future. "It's a pleasure to be in that house," said David Travers, formerly editor of Arts & Architecture magazine. "I don't know what it's like to live there, but the pleasure principle is heavy in my list."

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