Carling, Foster, House
historic place
The Foster Carling House, located in Los Angeles, California, is a significant example of mid-century modern architecture. Designed by master architect John Lautner for film composer Foster Carling, the residence was completed in 1949. Carling requested an open plan to accommodate his grand piano and frequent gatherings. Lautner's design responded with a hexagonal main living area, supported by external steel cantilevered beams, eliminating internal columns. The house is notable for blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. It features a wall section that swings out to an exterior terrace and an outdoor swimming pool that extends under a glass wall into the living area. This innovative design marked Lautner's first collaboration with builder John de la Vaux. The Foster Carling House was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 19, 2016. It remains an important early expression of John Lautner's groundbreaking architectural ideas.