The House That Is a Star: Inside John Lautner’s Sheats-Goldstein Residence

Perched precariously and beautifully on a Los Angeles hillside, the

is more than just a home; it is a cinematic icon and a masterclass in Organic Architecture. Originally designed by John Lautner in 1963, the home has been a work in progress for decades. Since Lautner’s passing in 1994, the project has been led by Duncan Nicholson, who served as an associate in Lautner’s office and took over the stewardship of this architectural masterpiece to ensure its evolution remained true to the original vision.

Today, that legacy of stewardship is carried forward by the architects of record, James Perry and Kris Conner of Conner + Perry Architects, who continue to refine this legendary estate.

A Masterclass in Movement

Most residential architecture relies on the comfort of the 90-degree angle. Lautner however, chose a different path. As Duncan Nicholson explains:

"There’s no right angles... everything is designed so that one can move around the spaces very easily. Typically in a house, you’re in a box... and this is completely different."

The Performance of the Entry

For Nicholson, there isn't a direct entry into the home but a path to a destination—it’s a journey. He describes the entrance of the house as a carefully choreographed sequence that prepares the visitor for the breathtaking reveal of the Los Angeles basin:

"From the carport to the living room, you pass through several different spaces. You pass through a garden, you pass over a pond which is full of koi. Once you get into the living room, then the space opens up and you're standing virtually outside in the view."

Setting the Record Straight: The Skylights

While popular accounts of the home (including the commentary in this video) often cite the use of "750 drinking glasses" to create the tiny skylights in the concrete roof, the technical reality is slightly different.

The iconic coffered ceiling is formed by two of the three massive planes that make up the triangular folded roof. Within these two planes are 49 individual coffers. To achieve the "primeval forest canopy" effect, each coffer contains six skylights. This brings the total to 588 skylights—a testament to the meticulous geometric planning required to pour such a complex, heavy concrete structure while maintaining an ethereal light quality.

Sheats-Goldstein Diagram

Living Outside, Inside

The home is part of the landscape as its refuses to wall off nature. Nicholson highlights how the environment is invited into the living space:

"Everything has been flooded with this jungle horticulture. The garden comes right up into the house, comes right to the edges."

The Sheats-Goldstein house remains a living testament to the whole idea of organic architecture. It stands today as a bridge between Lautner’s mid-century genius and a timeless vision of human living.

ARCHITECTOID