Los Angeles Department of City Planning RECOMMENDATION REPORT
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Los Angeles Department of City Planning RECOMMENDATION REPORT CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION CASE NO.: CHC -2007 -2072 -HCM HEARING DATE: October 18, 2007 Location: 7764 Torreyson Drive TIME: 10:00 AM Council District: 4 PLACE : City Hall, Room 1010 Community Plan Area: Hollywood 200 N. Spring Street Area Planning Commission: South Valley Los Angeles, CA Neighborhood Council: Hollywood Hills West 90012 Legal Description: Lot 20 of M B 208-20/27 PROJECT: Historic-Cultural Monument Application for the HARPEL HOUSE #1 REQUEST: Declare the property a Historic-Cultural Monument APPLICANT/ Mark Haddawy OWNER: 7764 West Torreyson Drive Los Angeles, CA 90046 OWNER’S Anna Marie Brooks REPRESENTATIVE: 1109 4 th Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90019 RECOMMENDATION That the Cultural Heritage Commission: 1. Declare the property a Historic-Cultural Monument per Los Angeles Administrative Code Chapter 9, Division 22, Article 1, Section 22.171.7 2. Adopt the report findings. S. GAIL GOLDBERG, AICP Director of Planning [SIGNED ORIGINAL IN FILE] [SIGNED ORIGINAL IN FILE] Ken Bernstein, Manager Lambert M. Giessinger, Preservation Architect Office of Historic Resources Office of Historic Resources Prepared by: [SIGNED ORIGINAL IN FILE] ________________________ Edgar Garcia, Preservation Planner Office of Historic Resources Attachments: March 17, 2007 Historic-Cultural Monument Application 7764 West Torreyson Drive CHC-2007-2072-HCM Page 2 of 3 FINDINGS 1) The subject building “embodies the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method of construction” as an example of International Style residential architecture. 2) The building is associated with a master builder, designer, or architect, as a work by the architect John Lautner. SUMMARY Built in 1956 and located in the Hollywood Hills area, this one-story residential building exhibits character-defining features of International Style architecture. The irregular plan residential building has an off-center entrance with a single pane glass door. The irregular roof is of rolled composition and consists of a trellis of 26 interlocking triangles supported by concrete caissons which extend to become roof/trellis support columns. The exterior is composed of wood, glass, stone and concrete. The walls and windows are fixed glass panels set to concrete columns and joined by dowel half-rounds. Paired single pane sliders and single pane pivot doors are featured within the exterior walls. Stone flooring extends from the interior space into the exterior of the pool deck area. Significant interior elements consist of fireplaces, native stonework, skylights, and built-in furniture and cabinetry. There is an attached car shelter and an irregular shaped swimming pool. The proposed Harpel House historic monument was designed by architect John Lautner (1911- 1994). Lautner is recognized as one of the premier American architects of 20 th century modernism. Launter designed several noteworthy residences and buildings, including the iconic Chemosphere House (1960; Historic-Cultural Monument #785) and the Midtown School (HCM #553). Lautner was made a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 1970 and received the Gold Medal from the Los Angeles AIA chapter for lifetime achievement. Lautner designed the subject property for Willis Harpel, a radio personality and announcer. Harpel also commissioned Lautner to design a waterfront home in Alaska (Harpel House #2). Alterations to the subject building include the addition of a bedroom in 1963 and the addition of a second floor west wing in 1967. In 2006, these later additions were removed and the subject building was restored to its c.1956 condition. CRITERIA The criterion is the Cultural Heritage Ordinance which defines a historical or cultural monument as any site (including significant trees or other plant life located thereon) building or structure of particular historic or cultural significance to the City of Los Angeles, such as historic structures or sites in which the broad cultural, economic, or social history of the nation, State or community is reflected or exemplified, or which are identified with historic personages or with important events in the main currents of national, State or local history or which embody the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method of construction, or a notable work of a master builder, designer or architect whose individual genius influenced his age. 7764 West Torreyson Drive CHC-2007-2072-HCM Page 3 of 3 DISCUSSION The Harpel House successfully meets two of the specified Historic-Cultural Monument criteria: 1) “embod[ies] the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method of construction” and 2) is associated with a master builder, designer, or architect.” As a residential building designed in the modern International Style by famed architect John Lautner, the property clearly qualifies for designation as a Historic-Cultural Monument based on these criteria. BACKGROUND At its meeting of August 16, 2007, the Cultural Heritage Commission voted to take the application under consideration. On October 4, 2007, the Cultural Heritage Commission toured the subject property. Los Angeles Department of City Planning RECOMMENDATION REPORT CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION CASE NO.: CHC-2007-2072-HCM HEARING DATE: August 16,2007 Location: 7764 Torreyson Drive TIME: 10:OO AM Council District: 4 PLACE: City Hall, Room 1010 Community Plan Area: Hollywood 200 N. Spring Street Area Planning Commission: South Valley Los Angeles, CA Neighborhood Council: Hollywood Hills West 90012 Legal Description: Lot 20 of M B 208-20127 PROJECT: Historic-Cultural Monument Application for the HARPEL HOUSE #I REQUEST: Declare the property a Historic-Cultural Monument APPLICANT1 Mark Haddawy OWNER: 7764 West Torreyson Drive Los Angeles, CA 90046 OWNER'S Anna Marie Brooks REPRESENTATIVE: 1 109 4'hAve. Los Angeles, CA 90019 RECOMMENDATION That the Cultural Heritage Commission: 1. Take the property under consideration as a Historic-Cultural Monument per Los Angeles Administrative Code Chapter 9, Division 22, Article 1, Section 22.171.10(~)4 because the application and accompanying photo documentation suggest the submittal may warrant further investigation. 2. Adopt the report findings. S. GAIL GOLDBERG, AlCP Director of Planning [SIGNED ORIGINAL IN FILE] [SIGNED ORIGINAL IN FILE] Ken Bernstein, Manager Lambert M. Giessinger, Architect Office of Historic Resources Office of Historic Resources Prepared by: [SIGNED ORIGINAL IN FILE] Edgar Garcia, Preservation Planner Office of Historic Resources Attachments: March 17, 2007 Historic-Cultural Monument Application ZlMAS Report 7764 West Torreyson Drive CHC-2007-2072-HCM Page 2 of 2 SUMMARY Built in 1956 and located in the Hollywood Hills area, this one-story residential building exhibits character-defining features of International Style architecture. The irregular plan residential building has an off-center entrance with a single plane glass door. The irregular roof is of rolled composition and consists of a trellis of 26 interlocking triangles supported by concrete caissons which extend to become roofltrellis support columns. The exterior is composed of wood, glass, stone and concrete. The walls and windows are fixed glass panels set to concrete columns and joined by dowel half-rounds. Paired single pane sliders and single pane pivot doors are featured within the exterior walls. Stone flooring extends from the interior space into the exterior of the pool deck area. Significant interior elements consist of fireplaces, native stonework, skylights, and built-in furniture and cabinetry. There is an attached car shelter and an irregular shaped swimming pool. The proposed Harpel House historic monument was designed by architect John Lautner (191 1- 1994). Lautner is recognized as one of the premier American architects of 2oth century modernism. Launter designed several noteworthy residences and buildings, including the iconic Chemosphere House (1960; Historic-Cultural Monument #785) and the Midtown School (HCM #553). Lautner was made a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 1970 and received the Gold Medal from the Los Angeles AIA chapter for lifetime achievement. Lautner designed the subject property for Willis Harpel, a radio personality and announcer. Harpel also commissioned Lautner to design a waterfront home in Alaska (Harpel House #2). Alterations to the subject building include the addition of a bedroom in 1963 and the addition of a second floor west wing in 1967. In 2006, these later additions were removed and the subject building was restored to its c.1956 condition. CRITERIA The criterion is the Cultural Heritage Ordinance which defines a historical or cultural monument as any site (including significant trees or other plant life located thereon) building or structure of particular historic or cultural significance to the City of Los Angeles, such as historic structures or sites in which the broad cultural, economic, or social history of the nation, State or community is reflected or exemplified, or which are identified with historic personages or with important events in the main currents of national, State or local history or which embody the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method of construction,