Open House Report: John Lautner’s Bergren House in the Hollywood Hills

7316 Caverna Drive, Hollywood Hills East, $1.495M

Designed by John Lautner for Ted Bergren in the early ’50s then rebuilt and expanded by him after a fire destroyed most of it a few years later, the 2-bed, 2-bath came on the market this week. As for condition, it suffers mostly from poor listing photographs. And some regrettable furniture choices.

Below, a photo by Jim Simmons, via Triangle Modernist, gives a better idea of how the view is framed as well as the fountain and narrow pool hidden by the low wall.

Like so many Lautner designs, the low roof dominates the interior spaces, here as a shallow wingspread set askew over a long masonry wall and fireplace. Framing the view is a long white wall, pierced with angled openings that runs from a secluded courtyard out into the view. While the smooth concrete floors and platforms are original, the stainless steel kitchen is debatable.

It is an admittedly tough space to insert a kitchen. More images at the listing link; more of Jim Simmons photos at Triangle Modernist Houses, an outstanding source for vintage images and condition updates of 20th Century residential modernist homes.

Open Sunday from 2:00PM to 5:00PM

Designed by John Lautner for Ted Bergren in the early ’50s then rebuilt and expanded by him after a fire destroyed most of it a few years later, the 2-bed, 2-bath came on the market this week. As for condition, the house needs some restoration but suffers mostly from poor listing photographs. And some regrettable furniture choices. At top, an older photo gives a better idea of how the view is framed as well as the fountain and narrow pool hidden by the low wall. Below, the current state of affairs:

Like so many Lautner designs, the low roof dominates the interior spaces, here as a shallow wingspread set over a long masonry wall and fireplace. Framing the view is a long white wall, pierced with angled openings that runs from a secluded courtyard out into the view. While the smooth concrete floors and platforms are original, the stainless steel kitchen is debatable.

It is an admittedly tough space to insert a kitchen:

There’s a classic carport off to one side and one bathroom that needs re-scripting, plus the wood surfaces could use some help, but the bones are there. Whether the house will sell for $1.495M is another question. More images at the listing link; more of Jim Simmons photos at Triangle Modernist Houses, a favorite source for vintage images (and condition updates) of 20th Century residential modernist homes.

Open Sunday from 2:00PM to 5:00PM