RAYMOND L. (RAY) KAPPE, FAIA (1927-2019)
Kappe was born in Minneapolis MN to Romanian immigrant parents who changed the family name from Kapelowitz to Kappe. In 1940, the family moved to Los Angeles, where he attended Emerson Middle School designed by Richard Neutra. He graduated with honors from the University of California at Berkeley in 1951 then he worked as a draftsman on Eichler Homes for Anshen+Allen. He then moved back to LA to work two years with Carl Maston. Kappe went on his own in 1954, completing dozens of custom post-and-beam houses and winning many awards. By 1968 he was the head of Kahn Kappe Lotery Boccato. After serving as Founding Chairman of the Department of Architecture at California Polytechnic State University, Pomona, Kappe resigned in 1972 and started the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-ARC) which "encourages learning through creative discourse and supports diversity of opinion within the framework of a common vision." Unlike many design school startups, SCI-ARC succeeded, turned out several thousand graduates, and is considered one of the top architecture schools in the country. Kappe attributed success in part to experience he gained working in his parents' store. "I knew how to keep books - which most architects don't."
In 1978, his firm became Kappe Lotery Boccato. In 1985, Kappe split off to form Kappe Architects Planners. Kappe received many individual awards including the 1987 Richard Neutra International Medal for Design Excellence, the 1995 California Council/AIA Bernard Maybeck Award for Design, and the Topaz Medal. His archives are at the Getty Center.
Subdivisions: Kentwood Gardens
1954 - The Phineas Kappe Apartments, aka National Boulevard Apartments, 10565 National Boulevard, Los Angeles CA. Six units, designed as income source for his parents. The building sits next to 10567 National Boulevard, the Garden Apartment Building, designed by Los Angeles architect Carl Maston whom Kappe worked with for two years. Deeded to the Raymond and Rochelle Kappe Family Trust. Bottom photo by Michael Locke.
1954 - The Gordon and Hildred Goetschel House, 272 Mesa Lila Road, Glendale CA. Sold to Walter and Sylvia Gads. Sold to Stefania Checinski. Sold in 2012 to Anca Barbu. Sold in 2020 to Authenticmodern LLC. Sold in 2021 to HabHouse LLC and LAModern LLC. Remodeled. Sold in 2022 to Justin Dean and Christopher Quirk. Sold in 2023 to Glendale House LLC. Photos by Michael Locke.
1956 - The Phineas and Betty Kappe House, 15541 Woodcrest Drive, Sherman Oaks CA. Ray Kappe's parents. The 2300 sf house has walls of glass, vaulted ceilings, a private gated zen garden, interior reflecting pool, and an outdoor spa with a waterfall. Ray and Shelly Kappe and their kids lived there until their own house was complete in 1967. Sold in 2003 to Mark Piaia, still owner as of 2024. Black and white photos by Marvin Rand, color photos by Michael Locke.
1956 - The Willis A. and Katherine Stoner House, 5679 East Corso di Napoli, Long Beach CA. On Treasure Island. Built by Russell S. Best. Sold in 2018 to David and Susan Erickson. Sold in 2021 to the Fisher Trust. Bottom three photos by Michael Locke; other photos by Don Stoner.
1956 - The Arthur M. and Luis Enstedt Apartment Additions, 3351/3353/3355/3357 Shelby Drive, Los Angeles CA. These were to be additional units behind an existing complex; unbuilt. The original apartments, not by Kappe, were destroyed in 1983.
1956 - The Luis Enstedt Kitchen Renovation, 2108 Benecia Avenue, Los Angeles CA. House originally built in 1930. Sold in 2022 to Geraldalan and Fogelman Properties.
1956 - The Paul Nass Apartments, Los Angeles CA. Unbuilt.
1957 - The Merrill and Connie Friend Residence, 4727 Louise Avenue, Encino CA. Sold to Richard Rabkin. Photo by Michael Locke.
1957 - The Eric and Lucy Lowen House, 1542 Rising Glen Road, Los Angeles CA. Hinerfeld-Ward Inc. added a new bedroom, bathroom and enlarged existing bedrooms in 2006, designed by Kappe. Sold to the Kahane Trust. Sold in 2005 to Babak (Bob) Ghassemieh. Renovated in 2006; engineered by Reiss and Brown. Sold in 2017 to Joshua Shulman and James G. Conley III. Top two photos by David Lena; third by Andrea Minton; last photo by Michael Locke.
1957 - The Forrest House Remodel, Los Angeles CA. Unbuilt.
1957 - The Margaret O. Smith Residence, 8322 Ridpath Drive, Los Angeles CA. Sold in 2000 to William Miller. Sold in 2019 to Paul Malle. Top photo by Michael Locke.
1958 - The Lee and Helen Kasof Residence, 5909 Wrightcrest Drive, Culver City CA. Commissioned in 1957. According to their son, Joseph Kasof, "when my parents owned this extraordinary home, it was maintained beautifully and without departing from Kappe's vision (except to install a small cement basketball area when I was a lad)." Subsequent owners have substantially modified the house in ways that greatly reduced the Kappe look and feel. Sold in 2000 to James Hayden. Joseph Kasof supplied the black and white construction photo and the photo of Kappe with Audrey Kasof.
1958 - The Buzza Residence, Beverly Hills CA. Unbuilt.
1958 - The Berkus-Kappe Apartments, 4150 Hillcrest Drive, Los Angeles CA. Eight units. Sold around 2002 to Dan Ramirez. Sold in 2013 to Kelly Kane LLC. Sold in 2018 to Hillcrest Flats LLC. Top photo by Michael Locke; other photos by Andrea Minton.
1958 - The Arthur Taylor Residence, 7586 Woodrow Wilson Drive, Los Angeles CA. Unbuilt. A house unrelated to Kappe was built there around 1963.
1958 - The Howard Waymire House, 4245 Don Alanis Place, Los Angeles CA. Commissioned in 1957. Sold to Linda Griego and Ronald C. Peterson. Sold in 2000 to Barbara Brodsky and Janice Ritter. Sold in 2005 to Ivan P. and Audrey Morrissey. Sold in 2020 to Michael Govan and Katherine Ross. Bottom three photos by Michael Locke.
1958 - The Sy and Maxine Gomberg House, 681 Brooktree Road, Santa Monica CA. Sold to Bruce and Laurie Rozet. Pierre Koenig designed an addition around 1969, unsure if built. Kappe did an addition around 1979. Sold in 2000 to David Entin. Sold to F. Elliott Leonard and Roger Litz. Sold in 2012 to Elizabeth Latshaw. Sold in 2021 to Andrew and Joanne Weidhass.
1959 - The Hal Erdley Residence, 1210 El Medio Avenue, Pacific Palisades CA. Built and designed by Kappe. Modified around 1966, engineered by Reiss and Brown. According to Mrs. Erdley, they went out to look at the Phineas Kappe Residence and she said to Hal "I'd like a house like that, with a tree growing through it." Addition in 1982 by Kappe. Still owned by the Erdleys as of 2014. Top photo by Michael Locke, remaining photos by Andrea Minton.
1958 - The Paul Hammond Apartments, 3540 Sawtelle Boulevard and 3739 McLaughlin Avenue, Los Angeles CA. Ten units. According to the Los Angeles Building Permits Department, 3739 McLauglin Avenue was designed by Merle A. Roussellot for Winn Realty in 1959. Kappe did design 3540 Sawtelle Boulevard. These units once had a pool. Each unit had its own terraces that are now enclosed. 3540 sold to Jeanne E. Fujimoto Trust; 3739 sold in 1988 to Alan L. Saunders Trust. Second photo by Michael Locke; rest by Andrea Minton.
1959 - The Frishberg Addition, 3431 Hargis Street, Los Angeles CA. Unbuilt.
1959 - The Earl and Betty Clemmons Residence, 2941 Briar Knoll Drive, Los Angeles CA. Sold in 2000 to Charles (Chuck) and Elizabeth McCann and Tally Productions. Sold in 2022 to Siobhan Bennett and Jennifer Strasser. Bottom two photos by Michael Locke.
1959 - The Jerry and Janet Glaser Remodel, 7252 West 94th Street, Los Angeles CA. Unbuilt. House originally built in 1952, designed by Henry J. Friel; later destroyed for LAX expansion.
1959 - The Seligman Addition, Los Angeles CA. Unbuilt.
1959 - The Robert Hayes Residence, 3943 Woodfield Drive, Sherman Oaks CA. Commissioned in 1958. Featured in House and Home, November 1960. As of 2013 still owned by Robert Hayes. Top three photos by Julius Shulman; bottom by Michael Locke.
1960 - The Wohlstadter Residence, North Hollywood, Los Angeles CA. Unbuilt.
1960 - The Sarna Residence. Likely unbuilt.
1960 - The Murray B. and Genevieve B. Davis Residence, 1151 Angelo Drive, Beverly Hills CA. As of 2014 owned by the Genevieve B. Davis Trust. Bottom photo by Michael Locke.
1960 - The Kosser Residence, Los Angeles CA. Lot 17, tract 12594. Unbuilt.
1960 - The Rex and Helena Ragan Residence, 1184 Rancheros Place, Pasadena CA. Built by Ted Tyler. Sold in 2006 to the Barbara F. Vomela Trust. Photo by Michael Locke.
1960 - The Cotzen Residence, Los Angeles CA. Unbuilt.
1961 - The Leon M. and Helen Pollock Barsha Residence, 3515 Royal Woods Drive, Sherman Oaks CA. In 1974, Kappe added a 2nd story master suite. Sold to Robert (Bob) Miller, still owner as of 2023. Top three photos by Michael Locke; rest provided by Alex Miller.
1961 - The Willard and Betty Beling Residence, 5280 Darro Road, Woodland Hills CA. 2400sf. Sold in 2021 to Thach and P. Vo, Victor Peterson, and Lisa Tent. Bottom photo of another house on the property (not by Kappe) by Andrea Minton.
1961 - The Melvin Brody Residence, 936 Kenter Way, Los Angeles CA. Features a secret room behind a bookcase. Sold in 1998. Sold in 2013. Sold in 2015 to Marc Heenan. Bottom two photos by Andrea Minton.
As of 2019 this house is undergoing extensive renovation. Photos above by Michael Locke.
1961 - The Howard P. Jr. and Patricia B. Gates Residence, 727 Brooktree Road, Pacific Palisades CA. Commissioned in 1959. Built by Val Powelson. The children's rooms were separated from each other by moveable walls. Featured in the LA Herald-Examiner in 1964 (pdf). The Gates family moved out in 1964. Sold in 1994 to Albert and Joan Dorman. B/W photos provided by Guilbert Gates; bottom photos by Michael Locke.
1961 - The Stanley and Marjorie Heegel Meyer Residence, 3893 Deervale Drive, Sherman Oaks CA. Sold in 1993 to Catherine and Stephen Brown. Badly damaged in 1994 during the Northridge Earthquake. The Browns commissioned Kappe to rebuild the original home; engineering by Reiss and Brown. Mrs. Brown passed at home near the end of 2019. Sold in 2020 to Andrew Berman and Antonina Rezikovich. Color photos by Michael Locke.
1961 - The Edward E. and Elizabeth K. Reinhart Residence, 620 Resolano Drive, Pacific Palisades CA. Sold in 1981 to Sandra and Hubie Kerns. The Kernses added a library and addition under the basement in 1985 and a second story study and closet in 1991. Sold in 2022. Bottom four photos by Michael Locke.
1961 - The Vedanta Society Apartments, 2000 Ivar Avenue, Los Angeles CA. Commissioned in 1958. The apartments were designed for a religious Indian organization but occupancy was not limited to society members. There were 5 studio apartments, 6 1-bedroom, and 5 two-bedroom apartments. Built by Ted Tyler. Kappe did not design the Temple building. Bottom two photos by Michael Locke.
1961 - The Robert A and Janet E. Mummey Residence, 5284 Vanalden Avenue, Tarzana CA. Sold to Puzant and Anahid Meymarian. Photos by Michael Locke.
1961 - The Pace Residence, Rhone Drive, Palos Verdes CA. Unbuilt.
1961 - Apartments, Los Angeles CA. Unbuilt.
1962 - The Morton K. and Cynthia E. Bernheim House, 1000 Kenfield Avenue, Los Angeles CA. Deeded to Cynthia E. Bernheim. Sold in 2015 to the Katherine Bacon Trust.
1962 - The Maurine Louise Clausen House, 8936 Appian Way, West Hollywood CA. Sold to Patricial Glough and Glenn Johnson. Photos by Michael Locke. Clausen taught physical education in the area for 25 years and met her life partner Josephine (Jo) Caruso with whom she remained until her death in 2011.
1962 - The Martin Gale House, 1009 Lindenwood Lane, Los Angeles CA. The original 1950 Bonderman House on the site was designed by Quincy Jones and Whitney Smith for the Crestwood Hills subdivision. A fire destroyed the house in 1961, then Gale bought the land. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Sold in 2011 to Daniel and Lisa Lee. Top two photos by Michael Locke.
1962 - The Harry and Sophie Rubin Residence, 7220 Chelan Way, Los Angeles CA. Unbuilt. There was a dispute between the Rubins and the sellers of the land. The site appears to have been renumbered.
1962 - The California Governor's Mansion Competition, Sacramento CA. Unbuilt.
1963 - The C & C Development, aka Moorpark Apartments, 12642 Moorpark Street, Studio City CA. Sold in 2017 to Studio City Manor LLC.
1963 - The Handman House, 3872 Royal Woods Drive, Sherman Oaks CA. 4193 sf. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Sold to Tina Turner who built a panic room. Sold to Brian C. Lee. Bottom two photos by Andrea Minton.
1963 - The Fry House, Los Angeles CA. Status unknown. Engineering by Reiss and Brown.
1963 - The Fredonia Apartments, 3625 Fredonia Drive, Los Angeles CA. 12-unit apartment complex converted to condos. C&C Development was the builder. Arthur H. Levin was the engineer. Unit 10 for sale in 2024. First two photos by Andrea Minton. Last two photos by Michael Locke.
1964 - The Kling Street Apartments, aka the C & C Development Apartments, 11905 Kling Street, Valley Village CA. Two buildings across the street from each other. Color photos by Andrea Minton.
1964 - The Gale Drive Associates Apartments, aka the Phil Gepner and Dave Beck Apartments, aka The Point, 131 North Gale Drive, Beverly Hills CA. Three story apartments with subterranean parking. Remodeled in 2003 by Kappe. Top photo by Michael Locke; bottom photo by Andrea Minton.
1964 - The Cruz Apartments, Los Angeles CA. Unbuilt.
1964 - The Walter H. III and Elma H. G. Drane Residence, 4122 Terraza Drive, Los Angeles CA. Commissioned in 1963. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Sold to William and Virginia Green. Sold to Don and Marjorie Wilson. Altered in 1989 to build a 2-story tower behind the carport plus add two bathrooms. Deeded to the Marjorie Wilson Trust.
1964 - The Joel Coleman Addition, 755 Brooktree Road, Pacific Palisades CA. 1000 sf addition. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Sold to Mavette and Habib Salo. Bottom two photos by Andrea Minton.
1964 - The Stanley J. and Joan Strimling Residence, 17269 Oak View Drive, Encino CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Sold in 1997 to Daniel P. Chester. Sold in 2010 to Neng Chen and Jeen Whang Tsay. Restored in the mid-2000s by interior designer Sarah Rosenhaus. Sold in 2014 to Michelle Jubelirer and Keith Nelson. Sold in 2017 to Peter Morris. Bottom four photos by Michael Locke.
1964 - The Greene Residence, 1293 Chautauqua Boulevard, Pacific Palisades CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Unbuilt. A 1966 Modernist house was designed and built later on this site by Los Angeles architect Gene D. Smith.
1964 - The Robert and Patricia Kirkwood Renovation, 1355 Berea Place, Pacific Palisades CA. Deck engineering by Reiss and Brown. Unbuilt. Deeded in 2008 to the Kirkwood Family Trust. Sold in 2016 and destroyed. New house built in 2021.
1964 - The J. Stephen and Rosemary Lewis Remodel, 750 Brooktree Road, Pacific Palisades CA. Kappe converted an attached garage into a hobby room and constructed a carport and trellis for a house originally built in 1954. Modifications around 1968, engineering by Reiss and Brown. Photo by Michael Locke.
1964 - The Robert E. and Vicky Rockney Addition, 809 Broom Way, Los Angeles CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Addition of a main bedroom with terrazzo tile, wood-paneled vanity, and dressing area. Sold in 2023 to Brad Lipshy. Photos by Michael Locke.
1964 - The Karasick Remodel, Van Nuys CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Status unknown. Kappe also designed an office for Karasick.
1964 - The Luskin Remodel, Los Angeles CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Status unknown.
1964 - The Frantz Addition and Remodel, Sherman Oaks CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Status unknown.
1965 - The Earl Curtis Residence, 2424 Tuna Canyon Road, Topanga CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Unbuilt.
1964 - The Nass Apartments, Los Angeles CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Status unknown. May be connected to a William E. Foster.
1965 - The Phil Gepner Remodel, Royal Oaks CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Status unknown.
1965 - The Lawrence Office and Apartments, 5525 Balboa Boulevard, Encino CA. 61 units. Destroyed. Replaced by a commercial building, above photo by Andrea Minton.
1965 - The George Moss Residence, Marboro Drive, Encino CA. Unbuilt. Engineering by Reiss and Brown.
1965 - The Harold Staw Residence, 2545 North Mountain Avenue, Claremont CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Sold to Fredrick and Ofet Bet Pera. Destroyed in 2003 by the Padua fire.
1965 - The Sears Residence, Taos NM. Status unknown.
1965 - The Nicosia Residence, Los Angeles CA. Unbuilt.
1966 - The Bernard (Bernie) and Eleanor K. Butnik Residence, 16136 Royal Mount Drive, Encino CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Altered in 1976. Sold to Michael and Georgia T. Jeffries. Sold in 1998 to Mehrdad Azami. Sold in 2019 to Paul Fogarty. Bottom photo by Michael Locke.
1966 - The James A. and Jean Pregerson House, 680 Brooktree Road, Pacific Palisades CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. 2,500 sq. ft. Still owned by Jean Pregerson as of 2022. Black and white photo by Julius Shulman; color exterior photo by Michael Locke.
1966 - The LGM Apartments, Encino area of Los Angeles CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Unbuilt.
1966 - The Vaughn Residence Remodel. Likely unbuilt.
1966 - The Clayton L. and Janet L. Sommers Addition, 835 Leonard Road, Los Angeles CA. Original house built in 1958. Kappe added a bedroom addition. Photo by Michael Locke.
1967 - The Sorrel Wildhorn and Ruth M. Baer Remodel, 16517 Las Casas Place, Pacific Palisades CA. House originally built in 1955 and designed by architect William Wallace Reid. Engineered by Reiss and Brown. Kappe's modifications included existing baths, extending the existing kitchen, and adding a new study. Sold to Jessie Bochco. Barbara Helen Callas, a former Frank Israel associate, designed a second floor garage addition and an third floor master bedroom suite in 2005. Sold in 2012 to Thomas Knoll and Cheryl Dimont. Photos by Michael Locke.
1967 - The Cohee Residence, 8400 Skyline Drive, Los Angeles CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Unbuilt. A house was built there in 1972, not by Kappe.
1967 - The James F. Digby Residence Addition, 20773 Big Rock Drive, Malibu CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Added a trellis, storage area, and master suite. Deeded to the Digby Trust. Sold in 2002 to Clark Spencer. Sold in 2007 to Rio Caraeff and Melinda Moore. Sold in 2009 to Liu Zheng Jun.
1967 - The Ray and Shelly Kappe House, 715 Brooktree Road, Pacific Palisades CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Designated in 1996 as a Cultural Heritage Monument by the City of Los Angeles. As of 2024 still owned by the Kappe family. Top two photos by Julius Shulman; rest by Michael Locke.
1967 - The Redlich House, Los Angeles CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Status unknown.
1968 - The Bernard Residence, Oxnard Shores Lot 3, tract 899, Oxnard CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Unbuilt, too high for local ordinances.
1968 - The Gershwin Residence, Trancas Canyon CA. Unbuilt.
1968 - The Leon Gould-Jacobson House, aka the Gould-LeFetra House, 12256 Canna Road, Los Angeles CA. Commissioned in 1966. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Sold to Alexander and Rebecca D. Jacobson whom later placed it under ownership of the Jacobson Trust. Sold in 2003 to the Michael W. LaFetra Trust. Designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument (886) in 2007. Sold in 2009 to Alison C. Leston. Sold in 2010 to Wallace Cheng.
1969 - The Alan Marsh Remodel, Los Angeles CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Status unknown.
1969 - The R. G. Harris House, 25002 Malibu Road, Malibu CA. Commissioned in 1967. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Interiors by Carol Sagar and Associates. Renovated at least once. Sold in 2023 to Michelle Sperber.
1969 - The Jack and Jean Faivus Residence, 539 West Rustic Road, Santa Monica Canyon CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Originally numbered 537 according to the building permit. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Sold to Daniel and Susan Wolf. Sold in 1995 to Peter Mehlman. Top photo by Michael Locke.
1969 - The Lesser Residence, 24548 Malibu Road, Malibu CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Unbuilt.
1969 - The Max and Penelope Greeven Residence, 92 Headland Drive, Palos Verdes CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Commissioned in 1969. Unbuilt, as the design was over budget. Eventually the Greevens went with architect William Abbott.
1969 - The A. D. Schultz Condominiums, aka the Ravenspur Condominiums, 5658 Ravenspur Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes CA. Commissioned in 1966. Won the 1966 Architectural Gran Prix.
1969 - The Wasserman Residence, 5803 Overlake Avenue, San Carlos Estates, Overland Avenue, San Diego CA. Designed with Rex Lotery. Altered. Sold to Charles and Randi Wax. Sold in 1999 to L. LeBong and M. Tuong. Sold in 2010 to Thao Luu Da. Photo by Andrea Minton.
1970 - The Leonard “Lanny” and Judith Gertler Residence, 14623 Hilltree Road, Santa Monica CA. Commissioned in 1968. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Featured in GA Houses 1, 1976. Kappe designed a carport and garage addition in 1978. Tooth & Nail Construction was the builder. Sold in 2011 to Michael LaFetra. Sold in 2013 to Christopher J. Ahearn and Marla J. Mayer. Photos by Michael Locke.
1970 - The Igo Residence, Pacific Palisades CA. Unbuilt.
1970 - The Dietsch Remodel. Unbuilt.
1971 - The Residential Development, Ventura CA. Unbuilt.
1971 - A new town, Newhall-Saugus CA. Unbuilt. In association with Richard Barron.
1972 - The Pepper Townhouse Manor, aka Kings Villages, 1141-1281 North Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena CA. 255 unit HUD housing project. The original plans included a multilevel commercial space for grocery stores, a co-op and other services however, there is no evidence for these as of 2015. Color photos by Andrea Minton.
1972 - The Norman and Toba Goldman Rubin Residence, 3950 La Cresta Drive, San Diego CA. Commissioned in 1970. Sold in 2017 to Eli and Jaclyn Owre. Top photo by Michael Locke.
1972 - The Aardvark Apartment Center, Rohnert Park CA. Unbuilt.
1972 - The Marvin Spanner Residence Remodel, 4143 Cachalote Street, Woodland Hills CA. Original house built in 1968. Designed with Rex Lotery. Sold in 2018 to Beryl and Renee Gordon. Top photo by Michael Locke.
1972 - The Village Apartments, Rohnert Park CA. Unbuilt.
1972 - The Hattenbach House, 14173 Alisal Lane, Santa Monica CA. Designed with Herbert Kahn and Rex Lotery; engineering by Reiss and Brown.Featured in GA Houses 1, 1976. Sold in 2010 to Susan Winfield and Stephen M. Grynberg.
1973 - The Elaine Stone Condominiums, 3815, 3817, 3819 Ocean Front Walk, Marina Del Rey CA. Designed with Herbert Kahn and Rex Lotery. Color photos by Michael Locke.
1973 - Student Housing for Cal State Poly, San Luis Obispo and Cal State Sonoma. These were competition entries for student housing. Kappe won for San Luis Obispo but not for Cal State Sonoma.
1973 - The Curtis A. Massey Residence, 4949 Terracita Lane, La Cañada Flintridge CA. Sold in 2001 to Duane B. and Jill A. Meltzer. Sold in 2003 to Melvin and Anna Lin. Significantly expanded. Sold in 2019 to Joel Wong. Photo by Michael Locke.
1973 - The Paul F. and Nancy C. Fink Residence, 1220 Toro Canyon Road, Santa Barbara CA. 10 acres. Sold in 2016 to Robert Ellermeyer.
1974 - Residential Development, Inglewood CA. Status unknown.
1974 - The Henry Katzenstein House, 739 Brooktree Road, Pacific Palisades CA. Designed with Rex Lotery. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Sold to Leo Moore. Sold in 2003 to Kadosh Investments Inc. Sold in 2006 to the Northern and Max E. Wheeler Trust. Sold in 2014 to the Millman Levitius Family Trust. Bottom two photos by Michael Locke.
1975 - The Sidney Penn House, aka Penn/Crowell House, 218 Rivo Alto Canal, Long Beach CA. Commissioned in 1973. Sold in 2004 to the William L. Robinson Trust. Top photo by Michael Locke.
1976 - The Heller Kingson House, Hawaii. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Kappe's involvement needs verification; plans signed by Charles G. Kanner. Status unknown.
1976 - The Bruce Sultan House, aka Sultan-Price House, 14181 Alisal Lane, Santa Monica CA. Designed with Herbert Kahn and Rex Lotery. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Commissioned in 1972. 7000 sf. Featured in GA Houses 1. Sold to Dallas and David Price. Kappe did an addition in 1982. Bottom photo by Michael Locke.
1976 - The Sam Hellinger Residence, 1670 North San Remo Drive, Pacific Palisades CA. Kappe did a few sketches (top image) but later gave this "challenging" client to architect Carl Maston whose design was built in 1981. Still owned in 2014 by the Sam and Judith Hellinger Trust. Bottom photo by Michael Locke.
1976 - The Barry Collen Residence, 762 Latimer Road, Pacific Palisades CA. Unbuilt. The land was sold and the Borghei/Cookston House, also by Kappe, later built on the site.
1977 - The Suzanne Dunaway-Chappell Residence, 1970 North Beverly Glen Boulevard, Los Angeles CA. Unbuilt.
1977 - The Greystone Manor and Park Restoration, Beverly Hills CA. Needs verification.
1978 - The Selber-Grauel Condominiums, Shoup Avenue and Sherman Way, Canoga Park CA. Unbuilt.
1978 - The Gurnee Residence, Toro Canyon Road, Santa Barbara CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Unbuilt.
1978 - Apartment Complex at University of California, Santa Barbara CA. 150 units. Part of a competition; Kappe did not win.
1978 - La Jolla Shores, San Diego CA. Status unknown, presumed unbuilt.
1979 - The Siskin Ranchos, San Joaquin Bluff Plan, Fresno CA. Status unknown, presumed unbuilt.
1979 - The Sherry Broida Residence, 639 Hightree Road, Santa Monica CA. Unbuilt.
1979 - The Freedman Housing Project, Los Angeles CA. Unsure if built.
1980 - The Puro Residence, Santa Monica CA. Status unknown.
1980 - The Benton Residence, Los Angeles CA. Unbuilt.
1980 - The Uni-West Condominiums, Phoenix AZ. Status unknown.
1981 - The Gary and Donna Freedman House, 533 9th Street, Santa Monica CA. Commissioned in 1978. This was Kappe's first house for a small infill city lot. As of 2022 still owned by the Freedmans. Color photos by Michael Locke.
1981 - The Jack Maxwell House, 20706 Rockpoint Way, Malibu CA. Designed with Manuel de la Iglesia. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Unbuilt due to cost.
1981 - The Jerry and Ruth Goldstein House, 131 North Gunston Drive, Los Angeles CA. Unbuilt.
1981 - The Stanley Block House, 1839 Westridge Road, Los Angeles CA. Commissioned in 1977. Sold to Abdulla B. Al-Mulla. Sold in 1994 to Secured California Investments. Sold in 1995 to Gary W. and Gail D McKenzie, who still owned it as of 2023. Bottom photo by Michael Locke.
1981 - The Clifford D. Rome Proposal for eight residences. About 244 sf each. Unbuilt.
1983 - The Daniel N. and Bonnie Finegood House, 20800 Broad Beach, Malibu CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Designed with Finn Kappe. Included pool and tennis courts.
1984 - The Leonard Kapelovitz Residence, 6300 Plateau Drive, Englewood CO. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Three levels. Observation tower-fireplace-study is a major feature of the house and built high enough to enjoy Pikes Peak to the south. Still owned by Kapelovitz in 2013.
1984 - The Houshang Borghei House, aka the Borghei-Cookston House, 762 Latimer Road, Santa Monica CA. Designed with Herbert Kahn, Rex Lotery, Finn Kappe. Commissioned in 1975. Barry Collen started the project and early during construction sold to Borghei, but the house sat for six years unfinished until it was sold to Stephen and Shirley Cookston, who completed it. Sold to Janice Blakemore. Deeded in 2008 to David and Janice Blakemore. Deeded in 2010 to the Janice and David Blakemore Trust. Color photos by Michael Locke.
1986 - The Efram Harkham Residence, Beverly Hills CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Designed in association with Finn Kappe. Unbuilt.
1986 - The Jeff Greene Residence I, 23 Oakmont Drive, Los Angeles CA. Designed with Finn Kappe. Unbuilt.
1986 - The Alfred Roven Residence, 800 Cord Circle, Beverly Hills CA. Designed with Finn Kappe. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Sold in 1993 to the Cord Circle Association. Sold in 1993 to BA Properties. Sold in 1995 to Kearny St Real Estate. Sold in 1999 to Ryong and Mi Song. Sold to Janice Arak. Photo by Michael Locke.
1985 - The Lou and Jay Scheimer Residence, 1600 The Strand, Manhattan Beach CA. Commissioned in 1982 in association with Dean Nota. Engineering by Reiss and Brown Scheimer was an Emmy Award winning producer of television cartoons. He was one of the original founders of Filmation, once the largest animation studios best-known for Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, The Archie Show, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, and the animated Star Trek. Sold in 2011 to Kristopher Dukes and Matt Jacobson, who did a renovation. Duke and Jacobson also owned the Doolittle House, in Joshua Tree CA, designed by Kendrick Kellogg, from 2014-2021. Top photo by Michael Locke; bottom two photos by Misha Gravenor.
1986 - The University of UCLA Northwest Campus Student Housing and Recreation Development. Unbuilt.
1987 - The George Padgett Residence, 5610 Naples Canal, Long Beach CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. As of 2022, still owned by the Padgett family. Bottom two photos by Michael Locke.
1987 - The Alice and Bill Unger Residence, 320 North Mount Holyoke Avenue, Pacific Palisades CA. Designed with Finn Kappe. Unbuilt.
1987 - The Ron and Jacqueline Behling House, 1128 Tigertail Road, Los Angeles CA. Designed with Finn Kappe. Unbuilt. Land belonged to architect Dale Yonkin as of 2012.
1987 - The Lederer Residence Remodel, 390 Vance Street, Santa Monica CA. Designed with Finn Kappe. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Kept the Spanish exterior and added a Modernist interior. Sold in 2012 to Paul Solomon Trust. Deeded in 2023 to LB Trust (owned by Paul Solomon). Bottom 3 photos by Michael Locke.
1987 - The Millar Residence, Pacific Palisades CA. Designed with Finn Kappe. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Status unknown.
1988 - The Mark Slotkin Residence, 1330 North Beverly Estates Drive, Los Angeles CA. Kappe's design was unbuilt, and the lot was later sold.
1989 - The Svensson Residence, Corona del Mar CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Unbuilt.
1989 - The Samuel Secof Apartments Remodel, 1861 Roscomare Road, Los Angeles CA. Designed with Finn Kappe. Deeded in 2003 to a Secof family trust. Sold in 2007 to Opportune Enterprises LLC. Photos by Michael Locke.
1990 - The Srebnik Residence, Rancho Palos Verdes CA. Engineering by Reiss Brown. Designed with Finn Kappe. Unbuilt.
1990 - The Harold and Lee Kapelovitz Remodel and Addition, 811 North Hillcrest Road, Beverly Hills CA. Harold was the son of Kappe's earlier client. Engineering by Reiss Brown. Sold in 2018 to Goldstar Investments. Photo by Michael Locke.
1990 - The Gordon and Ann Melcher Remodel, 16525 Akron Street, Pacific Palisades CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Featured in GA Houses 101. Deeded in 1997 to the Anne H. Keeler Trust. 4142 sf. Renovations began in 2019 with Finn Kappe. For sale for the first time in 2024. Photos by Michael Locke.
1991 - The Michel and Doug Knoll House, 917 Stonehill Lane, Los Angeles CA. Designed with Finn Kappe. Built on the site of a former Quincy Jones house. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Photo by Michael Locke.
1992 - The Wendy Carson and Michael Lindsey House, 313 29th Street, Manhattan Beach CA. Built by Archcon; engineering by Reiss Brown; interiors by Wendy Carson. Featured in GA Houses 54. Still owned by the original clients as of 2014.
1993 - The Hatzer Residence, 27 64th Place, Long Beach CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Unbuilt.
1994 - Housing for the Homeless, Las Vegas NV. Designed with Ron Kappe. Unbuilt.
1994 - The Esther Benton House, 136 South Canyon View Drive, Los Angeles CA. 5000 sf. Commissioned in 1991. Designed with Ron Kappe. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Part of an episode of Californication was filmed there. The interior was also featured on the show Shark. As of 2022 still owned by Benton through her trust. Photo, top, by Michael Locke.
1997 - The Bruce Shapiro Residence, 596 Dryad Road, Santa Monica CA. Commissioned in 1993. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Featured in 100 of the World's Best Houses, Volume 1. Sold in 2007 to Cherry and Christian Timario. Deeded to Cherry Timario. As of 2010 back in the Bruce Shapiro Trust. Second photo by Michael Locke.
1999 - The Daniel and Gusti Frankel Residence, 2012 Tory Drive, Yadkinville NC. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. As of 2024 still owned by the Frankels.
2001 - The Sam Culbert and Rosella Forte Residence, 19854 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu CA. Commissioned in 1998. This home replaced a two-unit house. It was built upon the piling supported floor of the previous structure. Still owned by Culbert and Forte as of 2014.
2001 - The Jefery and Pamela Levy Residence, 7315 Woodrow Wilson Drive, Los Angeles CA. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Featured in GA Houses 66. Sold in 2003 to David Lederer. Deeded in 2005 by Lederer to a trust.
2006 - The Steve Glenn House, aka Z6 House, aka LivingHome House I, 2914 Highland Avenue, Santa Monica CA. The Z6 name comes from the Living Homes credo: "zero waste, zero energy, zero water, zero carbon, zero emissions, and zero ignorance." It was the first home in the world to be certified LEED Platinum by the US Building Council. As of 2024 still owned by Glenn. Bottom photo by Michael Locke.
2007 - The Philip Beron House, aka LivingHome II, aka the Rochedale House, 12321 Rochedale Lane, Los Angeles CA. Kappe's second design for Steve Glenn's LivingHome series. Sold to Adam F. Streisand. Sold in 2021 to So Far So Good LLC c/o Sichuan Zhang. Top photo by Michael Locke.
2010 - The Janice Cowen House, aka LivingHome III, 569, 571, and 573 Lassen Street, Los Altos CA. Three units of different sizes. Sold in 2011 to Daniel Cornell, who transferred them into Lassen Green LLC.
2012 - aka LivingHome House Canada, 20A Senlac Road, Toronto ON, Canada. It was the first upscale prefab in Toronto, built in two days by Nexterra Green Homes, the LivingHome franchise for Toronto. Sold in 2013.
2014 - The David G. Brown House, aka LivingHome IV, 721 Adelaide Place, Santa Monica CA. Developed by Steve Glenn. Sold in 2020 to USC as a President's House.
2016 - The Babak (Bob) Ghassemieh House, 1160 San Ysidro Drive, Beverly Hills CA. Designed with Finn Kappe. Commissioned around 2011. Engineering by Reiss and Brown. Sold in 2021 to Julian Leslie Reis (BH Vista Equity III LLC). For sale in 2024. Photos by Michael Locke.
2017 - The Mr. C Residences, 1251-1257 Edris Drive, Los Angeles CA. Designed with Finn Kappe. Five condos designed with Marcello Pozzi. Located beside the Mr. C. Hotel. Developed by Babak (Bob) Ghassemieh. Engineering by Reiss and Brown.
2019 - The Steven and C. Levine House, 541 Stassi Lane, Santa Monica CA. Developed by Steve Glenn / LivingHomes LLC. Photos by Michael Locke.
2021 - 2465 Winter Sun Drive, Palm Springs CA. Gated community, no public access. Commissioned around 2017. Finished by Finn Kappe. Engineered by Reiss and Brown. Sold to Clement Mok.
2022 - The Lars and Sara Triesch House, Kleinmachnow, Brandenburg Germany. Project architect, Finn Kappe. Photos by Jurgen Nogal.
2023 - The Nathan M. Court Renovation, 938 Amoroso Place, Venice Beach CA. House originally built in 1947. Engineered by Reiss and Brown. Kappe designed a two story addition to extend the house and add a garage and recreation room. Finn Kappe completed the project. Sold in 2024. Photos by Michael Locke.
2024 –
The 5924 Bonsall Drive LLC House, 5924 Bonsall Drive, Malibu
CA. Designed and built by Plant Prefab, formerly Living
Home/Steve Glenn. 3268 sf plus an 800sf guest house. Based
on the Ray Kappe Living Home 3 model. For sale in
2024. Photos by Michael Locke.
Sources include: Ray Kappe Papers at the Getty Center; Finn Kappe; Shelly Kappe; Steve Glenn; Michael Lafetra; Themes and Variations: House Design: Ray Kappe by Michael Webb; Reiss and Brown.