The Case Study House #21 represents an experiment that the architect Pierre Koening designed to be assembled on-site -thanks to prefabricated elements- following all the principles of the mid-century modern architecture.
The glass ceiling and walls exposed the steel frame, which made it a prominent feature of the structure. Protective panels covered the glass exterior providing protection against the sun, and were used as a substitute for a traditional roof.
As for previous mid century architecture icons, also in the CSH #21 water elements were conceived as integral to the design; reflecting pools surrounding the house were equipped with a system to hydraulically pump water to the roof, where it would fall back again in fountain-like streams to the pools below. An additional innovation was Koenig's provision of a central utility core containing bathrooms and water heater, situated at the house's center and sen/ing to divide the public and private spaces.
The Case Study House #21 represented, within all the steel houses projects built until then, the acme in planning, and developing; its plan and execution are heretofore considered experimental. The careful use of already made steel elements, made this project luxurious without being expensive.
A house, surrounded completely by water introduces a new concept in the use of water as an integral structure and landscape element. There is no dichotomy involved; rather an architectural whole is achieved as the water reflects and amplifies the linear quality of the structure while adding serenity and aesthetic beauty.
The water theme continues with a swimming pool located centrally in the interior courtyard and surrounded by a terrace with entry to the living areas of the house. In the pool, water is sprayed onto a mosaic-tiled wall, which falls back into a reflecting pool.
The open-plan lounge and kitchen has views of the canyon on one side and leads out to the courtyard from large, floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors. This is middle point of the house with its 2 bathrooms.
An important aspect of Koenig's plans was to connect the different areas of the house together with a central passage, a series of sliding doors and an inner courtyard. The bathrooms could be entered through both bedrooms or the courtyard, which, in turn, had a door to the living room and kitchen.
The glass ceiling and walls exposed the steel frame, which made it a prominent feature of the structure. Protective panels covered the glass exterior providing protection against the sun, and were used as a substitute for a traditional roof.
As for previous mid century architecture icons, also in the CSH #21 water elements were conceived as integral to the design; reflecting pools surrounding the house were equipped with a system to hydraulically pump water to the roof, where it would fall back again in fountain-like streams to the pools below. An additional innovation was Koenig's provision of a central utility core containing bathrooms and water heater, situated at the house's center and sen/ing to divide the public and private spaces.
The Case Study House #21 represented, within all the steel houses projects built until then, the acme in planning, and developing; its plan and execution are heretofore considered experimental. The careful use of already made steel elements, made this project luxurious without being expensive.
A house, surrounded completely by water introduces a new concept in the use of water as an integral structure and landscape element. There is no dichotomy involved; rather an architectural whole is achieved as the water reflects and amplifies the linear quality of the structure while adding serenity and aesthetic beauty.
The water theme continues with a swimming pool located centrally in the interior courtyard and surrounded by a terrace with entry to the living areas of the house. In the pool, water is sprayed onto a mosaic-tiled wall, which falls back into a reflecting pool.
The open-plan lounge and kitchen has views of the canyon on one side and leads out to the courtyard from large, floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors. This is middle point of the house with its 2 bathrooms.
An important aspect of Koenig's plans was to connect the different areas of the house together with a central passage, a series of sliding doors and an inner courtyard. The bathrooms could be entered through both bedrooms or the courtyard, which, in turn, had a door to the living room and kitchen.
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