Landmark Houses: John Lautner’s Chemosphere

Chemosphere’s panoramic windows open up to views of the San Fernando Valley; the other side of house faces a quiet hillside, a scene that can almost feel like a nature preserve.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

The unusual construction of Lautner’s octagonal design has helped it weather earthquakes and heavy rains.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

The approach to the house, with purple Pride of Madeira and red geraniums in bloom.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Publisher Benedikt Taschen, photographed at work in the home in 2005, sits behind expanses of glass reflecting clouds and sky.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Clean-lined furnishings include an oval dining room table by Florence Knoll and suspended lamps of bent plexiglass strips by L.A. artist Jorge Pardo.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

The living room includes an Eames chair and coffee table and a rug by Albert Oehlen. The small window near floor level, rear left, offers a glimpse of the driveway.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

The living room includes an Eames chair and coffee table and a rug by Albert Oehlen. The small window near floor level, rear left, offers a glimpse of the driveway.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Publisher Benedikt Taschen says of the iconic 1960 home he bought in 1997 and restored, “It’s the responsibility of the owner to preserve it for future generations because a house like this doesn’t belong to one or two people: It belongs to mankind.”  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)