Proceeds benefit USModernist, a 501C3 nonprofit educational archive for the documentation, preservation, and promotion of Modernist architecture.

USModernist is America's largest open digital resource for Modernist residential architecture with documentation on over 22,000 houses by nearly every major Modernist architect of the 20th century. America's brilliant mid-century Modernist houses are frequently endangered and often torn down, largely because buyers, sellers, and realtors often do not realize the importance of how to identify, preserve, and protect these livable works of art. You can't save something if you don't know where it is and why it is important.  Moon Over Modernism® events in iconic houses support the nonprofit USModernist archive, the long-running podcast USModernist Radio, and the 4.3M-page USModernist architecture magazine library. USModernist is an unrivalled open digital archive for buyers, sellers, real estate agents, historians, preservationists, architects, owners, students, journalists, researchers, and architecture fans to protect and preserve America's Modernist houses.

The 1956 Willis Harpel House Sunset Cocktail Party
Designed by John Lautner FAIA
Torreyson Drive, Los Angeles
Saturday, November 2, 5-8pm

Enjoy an evening at one of architect John Lautner's iconic houses, masterfully restored by owner Mark Haddawy, who recreated Lautner's original interiors.

Plus, you'll see the Lautner-designed 1958 Harpel Guest House, for years unbuilt, which Haddawy built in 2022.  It's the newest build of a Lautner design.

And for the trifecta, there's a Futuro House in the backyard!

 

Architect John Lautner was one the most important architects to ever grace California with his brilliant, bold designs. After studying with the famous Frank Lloyd Wright, Lautner worked for Wright on buildings including the Johnson Wax Building and the Sturges and Oboler houses. Lautner went on his own in the 1950's. Known for his houses, Lautner was also well-known for Googie design, distinctive for its expansive glass walls, arresting form, and exuberant signage oriented to automobiles. Following some lean years, he rose again in the 1960s with the Chemosphere House (which you can see up the hill) and the Arthur Elrod and Bob Hope houses in Palm Springs. Upon his death in 1994, brilliant protégé Helena Arahuete took over the firm. Lautner has been the subject of several documentaries, including Infinite Space.  See all his houses..

You'll enjoy delicious appetizers plus signature cocktails provided by Vermont Spirits, plus live jazz entertainment.  There is no parking at the house or on the street.  All participants must arrive and depart by our free shuttle service, location TBA nearby. UBER/LYFT will be directed to the same location.

The 1970 Gertler Residence Tour
Designed by Ray Kappe FAIA
Hilltree Road, Pacific Palisades
Sunday, November 3, 10am-3pm

Ray Kappe was one of the giants in California architecture, and through the school that he and Shelly Kappe founded, SCI-ARC, influenced Modernism nationally and internationally.  After working with Eichler and Carl Maston, Kappe went on his own in 1954, starting what would be decades of custom post-and-beam houses, winning many awards.  After serving as Founding Chairman of the Architecture at Cal Poly Pomona, Kappe resigned in 1972 and started the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-ARC). Unlike many design school startups, SCI-ARC succeeded, turned out several thousand graduates, and is still considered one of the top architecture schools in the worldy. 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." See all his houses.  Photos by Elizabeth Daniels.

Timed entry is every half hour 10am to 3pm. You'll be assigned a tour time about two weeks ahead. There is no parking at the house.  Please park along Latimer Road and walk down Hilltree to the house.  We encourage participants to come by UBER/LYFT.  As with most Kappe houses, there are multiple stairs and levels that are not easily accessible for those with mobility issues.