Case Study Houses

Description

The Case Study House program (1945-1966) was a unique event in the history of American architecture. Sponsored by Arts & Architecture magazine, the program sought to respond to the postwar building boom with prototype modern homes that could be both easily replicated and readily affordable to the average American. Concentrated on the Los Angeles area, the Case Study Houses included 36 model homes commissioned from such major architects of the day as Richard Neutra, Raphael Soriano, Craig Ellwood, Charles and Ray Eames, Pierre Koenig, Eero Saarinen, A. Quincy Jones, and Ralph Rapson. Their criteria included "using, as far as is practicable, many war-born techniques and materials best suited to the expression of man's life in the modern world." The results of the program would redefine the modern home and extend influence not only across the United States but around the world. This compact guide includes all of the Case Study Houses with over 150 photos and plans, as well as a map showing locations of all sites, including those that no longer exist. About the series Born back in 1985, the Basic Art Series has evolved into the best-selling art book collection ever published. Each book in TASCHEN's Basic Architecture series features: an introduction to the life and work of the architect the major works in chronological order information about the clients, architectural preconditions as well as construction problems and resolutions a list of all the selected works and a map indicating the locations of the best and most famous buildings approximately 120 illustrations (photographs, sketches, drafts, and plans) Le programme Case Study House (1945-1966) represente un moment unique dans l'histoire de l'architecture americaine. Soutenu par le magazine Arts & Architecture, ce programme cherchait a repondre a l'essor de la construction immobiliere d'apres-guerre en proposant des prototypes d'habitations modernes qui seraient a la fois aisement reproductibles et tres accessibles a l'Americain moyen. Circonscrit a la region de Los Angeles, le Case Study Houses comprenait 36 habitations types, commandees a des grands architectes de l'epoque tels que Richard Neutra, Raphael Soriano, Craig Ellwood, Charles et Ray Eames, Pierre Koenig, Eero Saarinen, A. Quincy Jones et Ralph Rapson. Leur maitre-mot etait d'"utiliser autant que possible des techniques et des materiaux issus de la guerre, les mieux adaptes a traduire le mode de vie des hommes dans le monde moderne." Le programme eut pour effet de redefinir l'habitat moderne, et son influence fut etendue a l'ensemble des Etats-Unis et au monde entier. Cet ouvrage dense aborde tous les modeles de Case Study Houses a travers plus de 150 photos et plans, ainsi qu'a l'aide d'une carte permettant de situer chaque site, y compris ceux qui ont disparu. A propos de la collection Chaque volume de la Basic Architecture Series de TASCHEN contient: en introduction, des textes qui explorent l'origine, la vie et l'oeuvre de l'architecte ses realisations majeures, presentees dans l'ordre chronologique des informations sur les commanditaires, les conditions architectoniques prealables ainsi que les problemes de construction rencontres et les solutions qui leur ont ete apportees une liste de toutes les realisations selectionnees et une carte sur laquelle sont indiquees les constructions les plus celebres de l'architecte environ 120 illustrations (photographies, esquisses, dessins et plans)

Elizabeth A. T. Smith is Executive Director of the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, based in New York. Previously, she was Executive Director, Curatorial Affairs, at the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto; Chief Curator and Deputy Director of Programs at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, and Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. While at LA MOCA she curated the 1989 exhibition Blueprints for Modern Living: History and Legacy of the Case Study Houses. She has curated, published, and lectured widely on a variety of topics in contemporary art and architecture. Peter Goessel runs an agency for museum and exhibition design. He has published TASCHEN monographs on Julius Shulman, R. M. Schindler, John Lautner, and Richard Neutra, as well as several titles in the Basic Architecture series.