Hillside House Hangs in Space (Dec, 1951)
Hillside House Hangs in Space
BY RUNNING a big arch right through the house, two young designer-contractors were able to build a home on a clifflike lot offering a magnificent view from the Hollywood hills, and yet avoid expensive foundation work. Inside, the arch forms the railing for a dining balcony that projects into the two-story living room.
The arch, made of laminated Douglas fir that was electronically glued, is the type Widely used to support the roofs of airplane hangars and warehouses. Only the living-room wing hangs on the arch. The rest of the house, designed by L. C. Guthrie, Jr. and R. O. Spencer, sits on a foundation.
That wouldn’t pass code these days even in an earthquake-free zone.
Comment by Blurgle — May 7, 2008 @ 12:20 am
AAAAH! Scary!
Comment by Anne — May 7, 2008 @ 3:48 am
I wonder if the house and its arch still exist?
Comment by mike brisendine — May 7, 2008 @ 4:09 am
I wonder that, too. Some 1950s structures with glue-lam beams like this have suffered collapses. It turns out some of the assumptions made in the 1950s about the strength of lumber were overly optimistic.
Comment by Orv — May 10, 2008 @ 4:34 pm