Rudolph Schindler (architect)

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Rudolph Schindler (architect) bigraphy, stories - American architect

Rudolph Schindler (architect) : biography

September 10, 1887 – August 22, 1953

Rudolph Michael Schindler (born Rudolf Michael Schindler (1887 Vienna – 1953 Los Angeles) was [Austrian]-born American architect whose most important works were built in or near Los Angeles during the early to mid-twentieth century.

Although he worked and trained with some of its foremost practitioners, he often is associated with the fringes of the modern movement in architecture. His inventive use of complex three-dimensional forms, warm materials, and striking colors, as well as his ability to work successfully within tight budgets, however, have placed him as one of the true mavericks of early twentieth century architecture.

Selected projects (existing)

  • 1922 – Schindler House, 835 North Kings Road, West Hollywood, California
  • 1922-1926 – Lovell Beach House, Newport Beach, Balboa Island, California,
  • 1923 – El Pueblo Ribera Court, La Jolla, California
  • 1925 – How House for James Eads How, Silverlake, Los Angeles, California
  • 1926 – Manola Court apartment building for Herman Sachs, Edgecliff Drive, Los Angeles, California
  • 1928 – Wolfe House, Avalon, Catalina Island, California (demolished in 2002)
  • 1928-1952 – Samuel Freeman House (two guest apartments and furniture), Hollywood Heights, Los Angeles, California
  • 1930 – R. E. Elliot House, Newdale Drive, Los Angeles
  • 1933 – W. E. Oliver House, Micheltorena Street, Los Angeles, California
  • 1933 – The Rainbow Ballroom, Denver (see also Verne Byers)
  • 1934 – J. J. Buck House, Genesee Street, Los Angeles, California
  • 1934 – Bennati A-Frame house, Lake Arrowhead, California
  • 1937 – H. Rodakiewicz House, Los Angeles, California
  • 1938 – Bubeshko Apartments, Los Angeles, California
  • 1938 – Wilson House, Los Angeles, California
  • 1939 – Mackey Apartments, South Cochran Avenue, Los Angeles, California
  • 1940 – Ellis Avenue, Inglewood, California, Los Angeles Times, accessed 2011-11-05., American Institute of Architects, California Council, accessed 2011-11-05.
  • 1940 – S. Goodwin House, Studio City, California
  • 1944 – Bethlehem Baptist Church, 4900 S. Compton Ave., Los Angeles
  • 1948 – Laurelwood Apartments, Studio City, California, Big Orange Landmarks (accessed January 19, 2010)
  • 1952 – Schlesinger House, Los Angeles

Early history

Rudolf Michael Schindler was born on September 10, 1887, to a middle class family in Vienna, Austria. His father was a wood and metal craftsman and an importer; his mother was a dressmaker. He attended the Imperial and Royal High School, from 1899 to 1906, and enrolled at the Vienna Polytechnic University before attending the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts, or Wagnerschule, being graduated in 1911 with a degree in architecture.

Schindler was most influenced by professor Carl König, despite the presence of many other famous professors such as Otto Wagner and particularly, Adolf Loos. Most notably, in 1911, he was introduced to the work of Frank Lloyd Wright through the influential Wasmuth Portfolio.

Schindler also met his lifelong friend and rival Richard Neutra at the university in 1912, before completing his thesis project in 1913. Their careers would parallel each other: both would go to Los Angeles through Chicago, be recognized as important early modernists creating new styles suited to the Californian climate, and sometimes, both would work for the same clients. At one point, they and their wives shared a communal office and living structure that Schindler designed as his home and studio.

Notes

Solo work

Schindler’s early buildings usually are characterized by concrete construction. The Kings Road House, The Rodriguez House (seen in the film ‘Pineapple Express (film)’, Pueblo Ribera Court, Lovell Beach House, Wolfe House, and How House are the projects most frequently identified among these.