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The Stahl House: Case Study House #22, The Making of a Modernist Icon
By Shari Stahl Gronwald, Bruce Stahl, and Kim Cross
The Stahl House: Case Study House #22, The Making of a Modernist Icon is the official autobiography of this world renowned architectural gem by the family that made it their home. Considered one of the most iconic and recognizable examples of mid-century modern homes in the world, it was first envisioned by the owners Buck and Carlotta Stahl, designed by architect Pierre Koenig, and immortalized by photographer Julius Shulman.
The book shares the never-before-told inside story by the Stahl family’s adult children, Shari and Bruce, who grew up there and still graciously give home tours to fans from around the world. Through extensive research and interviews, the book features both historical information and personal photos. This includes Buck Stahl’s initial vision of the home with his own DIY schematic model for how to build on the complicated site. It also includes blueprints, floor plans, and sketches by Pierre Koenig, as well as Julius Shulman’s renowned photographs. Additionally, photographs of the house used in high-end, fashion ad campaigns, and film and television are also included, cementing The Stahl House’s prominence in contemporary culture.
Published by Chronicle Chroma, an imprint of Chronicle Books.
$24.95
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The Stahl House story starts in May 1954 when the Stahls purchased a small lot above Sunset Blvd. Over the following two years C.H. “Buck” Stahl and Carlotta Stahl worked weekends constructing the broken concrete wall that surrounds the buildable portion of the lot. During these working weekends, the design and vision for the Stahl House began to take shape. In the Summer of 1956, Buck Stahl constructed a three dimensional model of their dream home. It is with this model they interviewed and hired Architect Pierre Koenig in November 1957. On April 8th, 1959 the home was inducted into the Case Study House program by Arts & Architecture magazine, and assigned the number 22. Construction of the house began in May 1959 and was completed a year later in May of 1960. It was on May 9th, 1960 that the famed architectural photographer Julius Shulman captured the image that would represent modern architecture in Los Angeles during the 20th century.
The Stahl House was declared a Historic-Cultural landmark of the City of Los Angeles in 1999. In 2007, the American Institute of Architects listed the Stahl House as one of the top 150 structures on their “America’s Favorite Architecture” list, one of only 11 in Southern California. The house was included in a list of all time top 10 houses in Los Angeles in a Los Angeles Times survey of experts in December 2008. In 2013, the Stahl House became listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Nobody Famous Ever Lived Here, 22:The Inside Story of Stahl House
No permissions have been granted, to any person, company, or organization, for the use of any Stahl family copyrighted material and usage rights to our project titles “Nobody Famous Ever Lived Here” and “22: The Inside Story of the Stahl House”.
Thank you,
The Stahl Family
