Among a number of architects who made their name in structures, homes, and buildings after World War II, Pierre Koenig is a well-recognized name. He found his recognition stateside by producing homes with notable modern designs that were also very affordable as well.
This general combination was highly popular, especially among troops returning home from overseas and basically looking for a very different feel and way of life than what they saw in Europe and Asia during and after the conflicts.
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Koenig was one of the responding architects who got involved with the Case Study program sponsored by Arts & Architecture Magazine. The magazine’s “contest” goal was to produce an ideal design that would be inexpensive and efficient to build, appealing to the masses, yet still, retain a modern look unlike anything traditionally built prior to residential use.
Pierre Koenig jumped on the opportunity and became famous for building viable homes on lots that most mainstream construction and builders would have written off as unusable property.
Instead, Koenig partnered with a structural engineer, William Porush, and produce a home model that surprised and shocked many in terms of how sturdy and functional the structure was. 43 buildings were produced by Koenig in this particular, distinct style, incorporating glass and steel as well as concrete to make homes that stood out and became desirable. Recently, one of these 43 has now listed.
Dubbed the Henbest-Birkett House, the currently listed structure is a classic Koenig design that spans 3,270 square feet in footprint space including an internal open floor approach with four bedrooms and bathrooms, the standard complement of the living room and kitchen, an office, and a two-car garage capacity attached as well. And the backyard was finished with a pool and spa as well. The going price for this famous package first built-in 1966: $3.875 million in 2020.
It’s important to note, however, the Henbest-Birkett home is not original Koenig. It was renovated in 2011 with a goal to retain Koenig’s general style and design but to open it more to the ocean behind the property. The reshaping of the original home was mastered by Robert Sweet, and he clearly did Koenig’s original build justice with the later finished product.
One of the notable features of the Koenig Rancho Palos Verdes home includes the cement walkway that seems to float on water as one approaches the front door. The living spaces are partitioned from the outside by glass walls and only bordered by steel beams. The backyard view overlooks the ocean and the internal living room with fireplace is a minimalist’s giddy giggle dream.
There are few if any internal barrier walls; the entire floor plan flows from the living room to kitchen to family dining to the backyard, only separated by the glass in most cases. Yet in 2020, much of the design seems like a vintage throwback to the 1950s and 1960 modernist design, which makes the home today so unique yet connected with history.
The landscaping around the home matches the inside design, also consistent with a minimalist perspective that almost seems to have been designed by a master Japanese temple garden creator. The entire property is property magazine ready, and one can see why it was a major article in Arts & Architecture when this particular case study home was finished by Koenig.
Given the location and pricing, it would a bigger surprise that this Koenig home is not snapped up quickly, especially given the overlooking natural view and its unique presentation.
Source: henbest-birkett.com
