Conner + Perry Architects continues to perfect the legendary Sheats-Goldstein mansion designed by John Lautner in Los Angeles, a masterpiece of modernism and the Californian lifestyle of the second half of the 20th century.
“The Sheats-Goldstein residence is almost as iconic as the Hollywood sign itself,” architects Kristopher Conner and James Perry of Conner + Perry Architects point out right from the start. This spatial marvel by the visionary John Lautner (1911-1994) was designed in 1962 for Helen and Paul Sheats. It was then purchased in 1972 by James Goldstein, an American businessman and avid fan of basketball, fashion, and art fairs, now 84 years old. Since then, it has been mythologized in film, television, and music videos, from Daft Punk to The Big Lebowski. But also in fashion, books, and, of course, architecture and design. In sixty-two years, this famous Beverly Crest home has been continually expanded and improved. Since 2015, the renovations have been overseen by the firm Conner + Perry Architects, which notably worked with Lautner's apprentice and partner, Duncan Nicholson (1958-2015), before his death.
GLASS AND VIEWS
These renovations included, among other things, the installation of frameless glass, one of the Sheats-Goldstein's defining features, along with materials such as stainless steel, concrete, and leather, which adorn the spaces and furnishings. The additions also included the entrance to the koi pond, skylights, and renovations to the infinity pool, the master suite and its bathroom, and the surrounding landscaping.
To further enhance the residence, surrounded by greenery, James Goldstein acquired the neighboring Concannon estate, also designed by John Lautner. This project, which now rises four stories high, began with the design of a rooftop tennis court with a frameless glass railing, offering an unobstructed view of Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean.
ART AND CULTURE SPACES
Over the years, the plans for the residence evolved to include, first and foremost, an entertainment complex. Beneath the tennis court lies the "Club James," a private nightclub. This design features a bar, state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems controlled from a DJ booth, a dance floor, a 7-meter-long LED display wall, and a glass facade offering views of the city.
Next, a VIP room/library, located in the living room, showcases Goldstein's books on design and fashion, as well as his own work and the house. There's also a workspace, enclosed by a sloping glass wall, with a desk dominating the room and offering spectacular views of Los Angeles. Shelves and cabinets hold his basketball memorabilia and photographs with famous friends.
CONTINUE THE ARCHITECTURAL LEGACY
Today, the additions are focused on the outdoor terrace, located beneath the James Club and the offices. It includes several dining areas, a bar, and a kitchen with a barbecue. Nearby is the 30-meter-long infinity pool, separated by an acrylic wall that reveals, on the other side, a triangular-shaped spa.
The ongoing renovations include a 20-seat film screening room with VIP lounge seating, a main entrance, a reception area with a glass canopy, and an elevator providing access to all four floors. Finally, a V-shaped guesthouse, also with a glass roof supported by a steel grid structure, will be built. Featuring a suite with a kitchen and a main living area, it will be located below the Sheats-Goldstein residence and near James Turrell's "Above Horizon" installation, part of his Skyspaces series of architectural works.
Hand in hand with James Goldstein, Conner + Perry Architects reinvents and renews the grandeur of this architectural gem with the advances of the 21st century, creating spaces that celebrate the modernist heritage and the principles of organic architecture.
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