The Architecture of John Lautner

by Alan Hess

John Lautner is recognized as one of the foremost architects who practiced at the height of the modern movement. In The Architecture of John Lautner , stunning photography and insightful text illuminate the work of this modern master. This revised and condensed reprint of the Rizzoli title of the same name outlines all of Lautner's residential projects and details his career from his apprenticeship with Frank Lloyd Wright to his status as one of the preeminent practitioners of mid-century modernism. The book includes extensive photographs of Lautner's spacious residential interiors that have never appeared in other publications.

Lautner's highly personal designs for homes are known for their poignant originality as well as their ties to Frank Lloyd Wright's theories of organic architecture. As a student of Wright's, Lautner continued his tradition but branched out–many of his designs, such as the Chemosphere and the Monsanto House, have become icons of southern Californian architecture in their own right.

Genres: Architecture, Photography, Reference, Classics

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Born in California in 1952, Hess received his BA at Principia College, a Master's degree in architecture from the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture, and is a licensed architect. After working with architects William Coburn, and Callister Payne and Bischoff, Hess started his own firm specializing in residential work and historic preservation. His first book, Googie: Fifties Coffee Shop Architecture (Chronicle Books 1985) focused on a neglected and popular Modern form. Following books continued to explore overlooked chapters in twentieth-century architecture and urbanism. He is responsible for qualifying several landmark buildings for the National Register of Historic Places, including the oldest operating McDonald's in Downey, Stuart Company Plant and Office Building and Bullock's Pasadena in Pasadena, and the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Reviews

[Raina Anjari · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is amazing to see how the designs of the mid 1900's seem so contemporary even to the present day. this book captures the designs via beautiful photography and commentary. even the layman will be amazed to find that many of the buildings have been used in the media for many years. whether in movies or magazines they have been associated with the most contemporary designs of our time. Highlights this architects mastery of a typical material palette of concrete, wood, and steel.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is there not to like about Lautner's designs. Great Weintraub's photos of projects that I was not aware of before. Excellent description and background by Hess.

I read the book again in April 2023 and was really moved by it. As architectural photos go.. These are one of the most impressive around. They capture Lautner's genius, his spacial design quality, the textures and a warmth that was not expected. Alan Hess wove a interesting history of the trials and innovations of the 50+ years of struggle of designing with light, space and nature. (I feel his pain).

[R.J. Gilmour · Rating 3 out of 5]

A small book devoted to the work of John Lautner. The book is broken into sections which analyze his career with each section followed by a few pages showing the houses discussed in the previous section. Sadly, this format means lots of flipping back and forth between analysis and photographs of the houses. Also missing are detailed plans of the properties discussed. The book is really only an introduction to his work.