• Business
  • California
  • Climate & Environment
  • Entertainment & Arts
  • En Español
  • Food
  • Housing & Homelessness
  • Image
  • Lifestyle
  • Obituaries
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Travel & Experiences
  • World & Nation
  • All Sections
  • _________________
  • Newsletters
  • Photography
  • Podcasts
  • Video
  • _________________
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Archives
    • Company News
    • eNewspaper
    • For the Record
    • Got a Tip?
    • L.A. Times Careers
    • L.A. Times Store
    • L. A. Times Studios
    • News App: Apple IOS
    • News App: Google Play
    • Newsroom Directory
    • Public Affairs
    • Rights, Clearance & Permissions
    • Short Docs
    • About Us
    • Archives
    • Company News
    • eNewspaper
    • For the Record
    • Got a Tip?
    • L.A. Times Careers
    • L.A. Times Store
    • L. A. Times Studios
    • News App: Apple IOS
    • News App: Google Play
    • Newsroom Directory
    • Public Affairs
    • Rights, Clearance & Permissions
    • Short Docs
  • Advertising
    • Place an Ad
    • Classifieds
    • Coupons
    • People on the Move
    • Find/Post Jobs
    • Local Ads Marketplace
    • Media Kit: Why the L.A. Times?
    • Hot Property Sections
    • Place an Open House
    • Sotheby’s International Realty
    • Place an Ad
    • Classifieds
    • Coupons
    • People on the Move
    • Find/Post Jobs
    • Local Ads Marketplace
    • Media Kit: Why the L.A. Times?
    • Hot Property Sections
    • Place an Open House
    • Sotheby’s International Realty
  • Bestcovery
  • B2B Publishing
  • Business Visionaries
  • Hot Property
  • Crossword & Games
  • L.A. Times Events
  • L.A. Times Store
  • Subscriptions
    • Manage Subscription
    • EZPAY
    • Delivery Issue
    • eNewspaper
    • Students & Educators
    • Subscribe
    • Subscriber Terms
    • Gift Subscription Terms
    • Manage Subscription
    • EZPAY
    • Delivery Issue
    • eNewspaper
    • Students & Educators
    • Subscribe
    • Subscriber Terms
    • Gift Subscription Terms
  • Special Supplements
    • Best of the Southland
    • Healthy Living
    • Las Vegas Guide
    • Philanthropy
    • Best of the Southland
    • Healthy Living
    • Las Vegas Guide
    • Philanthropy
Copyright © 2023, Los Angeles Times | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | CA Notice of Collection | Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • California
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Food
  • Climate
  • Image
  • Opinion
  • |
  • Bestcovery
  • Coupons
  • Crossword
  • eNewspaper
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.
8 Images

Landmark Houses: John Lautner’s Chemosphere

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)

Chemosphere

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

Chemosphere

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

Chemosphere

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)

Taschen

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)

Chemosphere

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)

Chemosphere

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)

Chemosphere

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)

1/8

Landmark Houses: John Lautner’s Chemosphere

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Show more sharing options
Share
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Copy Link URLCopied!
  • Print
Advertisement