A twilight view of Koenig's
late-1950s masterwork,
where innovative steel
framing enabled an
elegant, open floor plan.
Here, the carport leads to
the kitchen entrance.
12.7.2018 | DIGS.NET 23
Koenig's use of water is a central element—it surrounds
the home in the form of reflecting pools that enhance
the peaceful atmosphere while adding a cooling
element on hot days. In these pools, the home's vivid
angular lines are mirrored, casting moody reflections
that change through the day. "A big element of this pe
of architecture is its interaction with its natural setting,"
points out Butler. "It's a marriage of the structure and
your environment. at's a whole additional element
of mastery that the Bailey House achieves at almost an
unparalleled level."
Inside, an exposed ribbed-steel ceiling offers visual
texture to the interior of the home, along with another
Koenig signature—thick beams that create a clean
contrast with the stark-white interior. e home is
L-shaped, and one steps from the carport into the
kitchen, which adjoins the living room. An inner
courard houses two bathrooms, which can be
accessed from either side of the home—the bedroom
side, or the kitchen/living room side. e home may
span only about 1,300 square feet, but it lives much
larger. "One of the striking things about this home is the
sense of expansiveness," says Butler. "It moves with you.
It feels like a really spacious environment."
Aer living in the home for a decade, the Baileys
relocated to the East Coast. Over the next few decades,
other occupants made changes to the home, marring
Koenig's original design. A fireplace was added; so were
skylights. e kitchen was deleted in favor of a central
island, and the white vinyl floor tiles were replaced
with ceramic ones. In the late 1990s new owner Dan
Cracchiolo came into the picture, a mid-century purist
who engaged Pierre Koenig to bring the home back to
its original state. He did, with the undertaking lasting
nearly double the time it took to construct the home in
the first place. e project culminated in a Ci of Los
Angeles Historic Preservation Award of Excellence in
2000 and a Bailey House that once again represented
the creator's original vision, down to the furnishings.
e Case Study House program produced a living
laboratory of mid-century innovation—a twining of
the finest fruits in engineering, materials and design
to produce a collection of homes still cherished today
for their unmatched blend of pragmatism and beau.
"ere's a kind of re-understanding of luxury today,"
says Butler. "e things that have intrinsic value,
historically, are things that are rare, incredibly well
done, artistic and very, very difficult to copy." In the
case of Bailey House, Koenig created a masterwork that
meets all such conditions, and will continue to serve as
ideal grounds of smart Southern California living for
countless days to come.
