Chemosphere facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chemosphere House |
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Chemosphere, 2012
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| Location | 7776 Torreyson Drive Los Angeles, California |
| Architect | John Lautner |
| Architectural style(s) | Modernist |
| Owner | Private |
| Designated | 2004 |
| Reference no. | 785 |
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The Chemosphere is a super cool and unique house in Los Angeles, California. It was designed by a famous architect named John Lautner in 1960. People love this house because it looks like something from the future and was built on a very tricky piece of land. It's even shaped like an octagon, which means it has eight sides! The Encyclopædia Britannica once called it "the most modern home built in the world."
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What Makes the Chemosphere Special?
This amazing house sits on the side of the Hollywood Hills, overlooking the San Fernando Valley. It's a one-story house with eight sides, offering plenty of living space. But the most striking thing about it is how it stands.
How It Stands Tall
The Chemosphere sits on top of a narrow concrete pole, about 5 feet (1.5 meters) wide and nearly 30 feet (9 meters) high! This clever design was John Lautner's idea to build on a very steep hill. The slope was so steep, about 45 degrees, that most people thought it was impossible to build there.
To make sure the house was safe, a large concrete base, almost 20 feet (6 meters) wide, was buried deep underground. This strong base helps the house survive earthquakes and heavy rains.
Getting Inside
To reach the house, you ride a special little cable car called a funicular. Inside, the house has a central brick wall with a cozy fireplace. The first decorations for the house were chosen by John H. Smith, a pioneering interior designer.
The Story of the Chemosphere
The land where the Chemosphere stands was given to a young aerospace engineer named Leonard Malin. Even though he didn't have much money, Malin really wanted to live there.
Building the Dream House
Building the Chemosphere cost about US$140,000 in 1960. This was a lot of money back then! Two companies helped Malin pay for it. The Southern California Gas Company helped with some costs. The Chem Seal Corporation provided special coatings and materials to build the house. This company even inspired the house's name, Chemosphere.
The Malin family, with their four children, lived in the house for many years. But eventually, they had to sell it in 1972 because of rising costs.
A New Life for the House
After a few different owners, the house became a bit run down by 1997. It had been rented out and used for parties, so the inside needed a lot of work. Because of its unique shape, it was hard to sell.
In 1998, Benedikt Taschen, who owns a German publishing company called Taschen, bought the house. He loved its unique design and had it beautifully restored. The restoration was done by Escher GuneWardena Architecture and even won an award! They added some modern touches that weren't possible in 1960, like thinner slate tiles and frameless glass windows.
Why the Chemosphere is Famous
The Chemosphere is more than just a house; it's a piece of art and history.
Official Recognition
In 2004, the Chemosphere was named a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. This means it's an important historical building in Los Angeles. In 2008, the Los Angeles Times even listed it as one of the top 10 houses in Los Angeles!
Featured in Movies and TV
You might have seen the Chemosphere before and not even known it! It has appeared in several movies and TV shows:
- It was used as a futuristic home in "The Duplicate Man", an episode of the TV show The Outer Limits in 1964.
- It appeared in the 1984 film Body Double.
- It inspired a house in the 2000 movie Charlie's Angels.
- It was shown as Troy McClure's house in an episode of The Simpsons in 1996.
- It appears in the end credits of the 2015 Disney movie Tomorrowland, starring George Clooney.
