THE CHEMOSHERELocation: Hollywood Hills, CA
Accessibility: Easily accessible Built: 1960 |
|
At first glance, one might think an alien invasion is underway, but this saucer-shaped structure is actually a private residence. The Chemosphere is located on the San Fernando side of the Hollywood Hills in California and was built by noted architect John Lautner. But how did this unusual looking home come to be?
In 1960, an aerospace engineer named Leonard Malin set out to build the home of his dreams, but chose a very difficult plot of land in the hills on which to build. The biggest problem with the site is that the hillside slopes about 45 degrees, so he hired Lautner to find a solution. Allegedly, when Malin approached Lautner to come up with a design, Lautner drew one straight vertical line, one horizontal line and a curve on top and said to his assistant "Draw it up!” The result was a 2,200-square-foot, octangular home sitting on top of a 29-foot high, 5-foot wide concrete column. Ultimately, Lautner constructed Chemosphere for a grand total of $80,000 and it was quickly hailed as "The most modern home built in the world.” To reach the elevated home, a funicular was installed to ascend the steep hillside.
Leonard Malin and his family owned the home for the next twelve years and sold it in 1972. Between 1972 and 1997, it had three different owners, the last of whom was murdered in the house during a robbery. The house was remodeled several times, but continued to fall into disrepair until, one day, Benedict Taschen and his wife saw Chemosphere. According to the LA Times, “It was love at first sight.” Taschen acquired the house in 1997 for less than $1 million and owns it to this day.
The name, Chemosphere, was inspired by the Chem Seal Company which helped put the house together. The house also appears in the 1984 film Body Double and was the primary inspiration for the design of a futuristic house in Charlie’s Angels.
For more information on the Chemosphere, please watch the video.
In 1960, an aerospace engineer named Leonard Malin set out to build the home of his dreams, but chose a very difficult plot of land in the hills on which to build. The biggest problem with the site is that the hillside slopes about 45 degrees, so he hired Lautner to find a solution. Allegedly, when Malin approached Lautner to come up with a design, Lautner drew one straight vertical line, one horizontal line and a curve on top and said to his assistant "Draw it up!” The result was a 2,200-square-foot, octangular home sitting on top of a 29-foot high, 5-foot wide concrete column. Ultimately, Lautner constructed Chemosphere for a grand total of $80,000 and it was quickly hailed as "The most modern home built in the world.” To reach the elevated home, a funicular was installed to ascend the steep hillside.
Leonard Malin and his family owned the home for the next twelve years and sold it in 1972. Between 1972 and 1997, it had three different owners, the last of whom was murdered in the house during a robbery. The house was remodeled several times, but continued to fall into disrepair until, one day, Benedict Taschen and his wife saw Chemosphere. According to the LA Times, “It was love at first sight.” Taschen acquired the house in 1997 for less than $1 million and owns it to this day.
The name, Chemosphere, was inspired by the Chem Seal Company which helped put the house together. The house also appears in the 1984 film Body Double and was the primary inspiration for the design of a futuristic house in Charlie’s Angels.
For more information on the Chemosphere, please watch the video.