California Dreaming - Modern Architecture In The Golden State
Since the 1940s, dreams of modern architecture have taken shape in California and are still influential today. Their innovative power consisted in making the landscape an integral part of the buildings. The predominantly European architects thus set global standards. The documentary series tells the story of four of the legendary houses between Palm Springs and San Francisco in impressive pictures. The series uses fascinating aerial photographs and postcard motifs to stimulate interest in architecture among a wide audience. How did this architecture come about, why is it called modern and is it still style-defining today? The answer to that cannot be pinned down to just one house. Four different houses from four decades are presented in an entertaining and informative way, representing different stylistic directions
Episodes
The 1940s: The Raymond Loewy House, Palm Springs, built: 1946-47 | Palm Springs is home to some of the most extravagant and interesting modernist homes. For French-born industrial designer Raymond Loewy, Swiss-born architect Albert Frey created a curving glass pavilion set amidst the desert landscape with an illuminated pool that extends into the living room.
The 1950s: The Stahl House, Los Angeles, built: 1959 | John Lautner (1911-1994) was one of the most important contemporary American architects of the last century. His architectural designs are characterized by a sense of drama, powerful geometry and warmth, and a deep respect for the landscape. His buildings are functional sculptures. They are unique structures that no other architect has created.
The 1960s: The Sea Ranch, Sonoma Coast, built: 1964-1972 | Even today, the vision of the architects of the Sea Ranch (1965) is considered one of the first holistically planned US residential complexes and the ultimate for architects with a sense for environmental protection. The Sea Ranch interprets modernity as a stronger focus on nature and as a utopia of living together. The land belongs to everyone, only the houses on it can be bought.
The 2010s: The Fall House, Big Sur, built: 2014 | The Fall House (built 2014) is nestled on the rugged south coast of Big Sur amidst the stunning California landscape and offers breathtaking views. It is less than four meters away from cliffs with a drop of over 70 meters to the Pacific Ocean! The dramatic landscape called for a dramatic solution, decided French-born, San Francisco-based architect Anne Fougeron.
