An architectural revolution took place in Los Angeles soon after the end of the Second World War which had critical implications for the building industry. Pierre Koenig was in the thick of the fray. As one of a small group of architects in Southern California involved in the Case Study House Program, sponsored by Arts and Architecture magazine, Koenig challenged existing preconceptions about house construction, unchanged in America for decades, proposing, as an alternative, industrial production in line with the more sophisticated technologies developed as a result of the war. Of this pioneering Case Study House group, Koenig alone continues to advocate change from outdated, costly and inefficient building methods in favour of steel construction - as he has for the last half century...

Designed at the age of twenty-five, when Koenig was in his third year at the School of Architecture at the University of Southern California (USC), his first house proved several things, not least that a steel house could be constructed at the same price - or less - than one of wood.It also revealed a fine grasp of the material; it even won him an AIA -House and Home Award of Merit, a fine achievement for a first building.Koenig is undoubtedly best known, however, for his Case Study Houses #21 and #22, the Bailey and Stahl houses, built in 1959 and 1960 respectively. The evocative night-time photograph of the Stahl House by Julius Shulman continues to be widely circulated in the media and has had a lasting effect on the public consciousness.

Foreword

Introduction

'TOWARDS A STEEL ARCHITECTURE' ENTERING ARCHITECTURAL

PRACTICE & THE PURSUIT OF AN IDEAL

Koenig House #1

Lamel House

Squire House

Scott House

Burwash House

Radio Station KYOR

Metcalf House

'THE STYLE THAT NEARLY'

THE GENESIS OF THE CASE STUDY HOUSE PROGRAM

Bailey House (Case Study House #21)

Stahl House (Case Study House #22)

Beidelman House

Seidel House/Rolle Additions

Seidel Beach House

Johnson House/Riebe Addition

Iwata House

Mosque

Oberman House

Beagles House

Bethlehem Steel Exhibit Pavilion

EEl Factory & Sales

West House

Franklyn Dinner Club

Burton Pole House

Gantert House

Stuermer House

Koenig House #2

Schwartz House

Laguna House

'BLUEPRINT FOR MODERN LIVING'

THE MOCA SHOW & THE MODERNIST REVIVAL

Biographical Details

Chronological List of Projects

Professional Affiliations

Awards

Exhibitions

Select Bibliography

Journals, Magazines, Newspapers

Other Media

Tours & Lectures

Notes

Acknowledgements