R. M. Schindler: 1925 James Eads How House

R.M. Schindler’s 1925 How House, in Silver Lake, California, is tucked away on a steep lot surrounded by eucalyptus trees. Dr. James How (AKA “The Hobo Millionaire”) commissioned Schindler to create a house overlooking the train station for him and his family and employed Schindler to create additional rooms meant for travelers who wished to relax before train hopping. As a result, this four-bedroom, house has a separate entrance conveniently located next to two-small bedrooms. The How House characterizes Schindler’s early use of slab cast concrete bases, where the foundation of the house and bottom story is constructed of concrete. The house is comprised of cubical formations with wood and glass walls and horizontal beams that line the interior and exterior of the house.

Michael restored Schindler’s How House to a museum like quality and upon completion registered the house under the Mills Act as a Historic-Cultural Monument. The restoration includes, reclaiming the roof to the original flat- pitched roof that was indicated in the blue prints as well as replacing the original redwood wall panels. Drawing from Schindler’s notes on the color of the house, Michael reproduced plaster and stucco to Schindler’s specification. Bathrooms, bedrooms and kitchen where updated with modern appliances, custom made cabinetry, and the original custom-made linoleum tiles. Michael brought the house’s past into the present by adding a surround sound system and installed custom-made light fixtures appropriate to the time era throughout the house. Likewise, he ordained reproductions of the furniture Schindler designed specifically for the living room, dining room and study.  Notations found during the restoration that Schindler’s onetime friend and competitor, Richard Neutra, designed the front garden of the house. Michael restored the front garden as well as re-landscaped the property with native vegetation. Michael added a new irrigation system and converted the house to solar energy. The house is now under the Mills Act as a Historic Cultural Monument.

Fact Sheet:

Links:

Spender, Brutus “Hauser“

Beale, Lauren “Film exec Brad Kembel and partner buy James Eads How House.” Los Angeles Times May 17, 2012. Link

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March, Lionel, “The residence of Dr. and Mrs. James Ead How, Silverlake, Los Angeles, California 1925,” G.A. Vol 56 , 32-54.

Locke, Michael.“ How House, R.M. Schindler, Architect 1925.” Silverlake News. Web 2010-2012. 30 March, 2012 Link

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Street-Porter, Tim. LA Modern New York, Rizzoli International 2008 (44-51)

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