Kallis House

Place

Kallis House

A classic example of a Modern single-family house designed by R.M. Schindler, who took full advantage of the challenging site by integrating the building into the hillside.

Place Details

Address

3580 Multiview Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90068
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Architect

The Kallis House in Studio City is a classic example of a Modern single-family house design by master architect R. M. Schindler. Completed in 1946, the house sits on a north-facing, sloping lot with a commanding view of the San Fernando Valley. Schindler took full advantage of the challenging site by integrating the building into the hillside and breaking it into several volumes that flow down the slope. The house was originally two separate buildings: a one-bedroom residence and a painter's studio atop a two-bedroom apartment. They were connected by an outdoor terrace, which has since been enclosed, built around standing oak trees.

The design as a whole used other methods to create a sense of flow and unity with the landscape: it is generally linear, with constant changes in the shape, slope, and orientation of the roof to vary ceiling height, allow sunlight in some places, and block glare in others. Schindler's love of industrial materials is reflected in his use of rough split-stake fencing in cladding on parts of the downhill façade. This material acts as a sort of camouflage to help the building blend into the hillside. The Kallis House is one of Schindler's most-cited works, beloved as a dramatic illustration of the architect's design philosophy both indoors and out.