Case Study House No. 21
historic place
In the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles County, you will find Case Study House No. 21. This historic place, also known as the Bailey House, was completed in 1959. It was designed by architect Pierre Koenig for Walter and Mary Bailey. The house was a key part of the Case Study House Program, an initiative by Arts & Architecture magazine. This program aimed to develop modern, replicable housing prototypes using new materials and technologies in the post-World War II era. Koenig's design for Case Study House No. 21 showcased the potential of steel construction in residential architecture, utilizing prefabricated components to create an efficient, open-plan layout. The structure features extensive glass walls and reflecting pools, which integrate indoor and outdoor living zones and contribute to passive cooling. Considered by Koenig to be his masterpiece, the house underwent a restoration overseen by him in 1997. It is recognized as Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #669, designated in 1999. Case Study House No. 21 stands as a precise architectural expression of its program, reflecting a period of innovation in Southern California residential design.