Stahl House or case study #22

Photo by Peter Thomas on Unsplash

What’s a Stahl House? 

Well, it’s a house. 

This iconic glass, steel and concrete building designed by Pierre Koenig for Buck Stahl in late 1950-s turned out to be not only a living space, but an aesthetic statement. 

What is so special about it? 

The hill itself on which the Stahl House is built was considered “unbuildable” by many architects, until Pierre Koenig agreed and jumped into the work with enthusiasm and excitement. 

As the main materials that Koenig was working with were glass, steel and concrete, it was a perfect match with Stahl’s vision for the house. 

So, the collaboration resulted in a house with floor to ceiling 20-foot wide glass walls, which provided a 270-degree panoramic view, as well as a giant sliding glass door between the rooms. This design feature was considered daring and unconventional for its era. 

While the two-bedroom 2,200 square foot space was designed with a purpose to reflect the glamour, chic and Hollywood aesthetic, Buck and Carlotta’s Stahl’s children share in the interview that they “were all so comfortable growing up here”. 

“It did not feel like we were in the pressure of Los Angeles. It’s a quiet and peaceful spot”, says Bruce Stahl, and that’s probably the most important and stunning feature of this house. While making an aesthetic and luxurious statement the Stahl’s house was still able to provide comfort and peace for its residents. 

Is it available for a visit? 

The Stahl House is open for tours on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and two Fridays each month. 

The tours are usually booked a month or two in advance, so take this into consolidation as you book your visit via website. 

There are afternoon and evening tours, each about an hour long. You will have a guide who will provide a deeper dive into the history and uniqueness of the Stahl House. 

Rules

In short, no professional cameras and similar equipment is allowed. You can use your phone camera and take photos for your personal use. 

Children under 10 years old are not permitted on tours, those of age of 10 and older must be under direct supervision of an adult. You will be asked to leave your shoes outside before entering the house to experience most of the homelike comfort. You are also allowed to sit on the furniture in the house and use a restroom, which is also available for people using wheelchairs. 

For more detailed information and booking please visit the website.