Seeing a famous view with fresh eyes
Welcome to the latest in our series of iconic architecture studies. This time, we’re focusing on Case Study House #22, better known as the Stahl House. Perched precariously atop a cliff overlooking Los Angeles, the Stahl House is a true icon of mid-century modern architecture. The home’s clean lines, glass walls, and minimalist design embody the spirit of its era like no other.
The house was designed by Pierre Koenig in 1959 as a part of Arts & Architecture magazine’s Case Study House program, an initiative that sought to showcase efficient, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing homes. Koenig’s innovative use of industrial materials such as steel and glass – pioneering for residential constructions at the time – helped achieve this goal.
The house, and its view, quickly became world famous, partly thanks to a photograph taken by Julius Shulman. Possibly the most widely published architectural photo in the world, Schulman’s shot of the iconic glass-walled Stahl House, seemingly floating above the dark city below, catapulted the home into global recognition, turning it into what is arguably one of the most recognizable residences in the world.
