User:Arch.james/Sheats Goldstein Residence

Sheats Goldstein Residence, is a house designed and built between 1961 and 1963 by American architect John Lautner in Beverly Hills, California. The building was conceived from the inside out and built into the sandstone ledge of the hillside; a cave-like dwelling that opens to embrace nature and view. The house is an example of American Organic Architecture that derives its form as an extension of the natural environment and of the individual to whom it was built. Typical of Lautner work, the project was approached from an idea and a unique structure was derived that solved the challenges of the site.

The house has been featured in several movies including, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, Bandits, and The Big Lebowski. Architectural articles on the house have appeared in the Robb Report, Town & Country, Architectural Digest, Azure, House & Garden, and The New York Times Magazine.

History
The home was originally built for Helen and Paul Sheats and their five children. Helen, an artist, and Paul a doctor, commissioned Lautner for a previous project known as Sheats Apartments located in West LA adjacent to UCLA (originally built 1949). There were two subsequent owners before James Goldstein purchased the residence.

Businessman, James Goldstein, bought the house in 1972 in a state of some disrepair. Goldstein commissioned John Lautner to work on the transformation of the house; a series of remodels that would encompass the entire house over a period of more than two decades. Goldstein worked with Lautner until the architect’s passing in 1994 on what they called the “perfecting” of the house. Jim continues to work collaboratively with Duncan Nicholson, architect, on new projects that enhance Lautner's original vision.

The Sheats Goldstein Residence is one of the best known examples of John Lautners work; he designed not only the house, but the interiors, windows, lighting, rugs, furniture, and operable features. The house is extensively detailed and you can see the range of the architect’s work through the different stages of the re-mastering. All of the furnishings enhance the house and are completely related so that the aesthetic of the forms is a function of the whole.

The original construction of the house is poured in place concrete, steel, and wood. The home was built with 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, and a living room that was originally completely open to the terrace, protected by only a curtain of forced air. The living room features open space that carries the interior into the outdoors blurring the line between the interior and exterior. The expansive coffered ceiling living room is pierced by drinking glass skylights in the coffers (750 skylights in all). The home uses cross ventilation to cool the house; there is no air condition. The floors are radiant heated with copper pipes that also warm the pool. Exterior covered pathways lead to the guest bedrooms and the master bedroom. Lautner opened these spaces because of the temperate climate that Southern California offers most of the year. Pool windows in the master bedroom were also an original feature that allowed Helen Sheats to watch her children as she worked in her studio below the pool.

Remodel
The remodels began shortly after James Goldstein purchased the house and were done in stages so that different parts of the house could remain occupied. The entrance was redesigned later with a new koi pond, stepping stones, and waterfall as part of the 1980’s remodel. All of the stucco ceilings were replaced with redwood, steel mullions were removed and replaced with frameless glass, and skylights in the kitchen, dinning room, and guest bathroom were made operable for complete openings to the sky. The kitchen was remodeled with wet sanded concrete countertops and the cabinets were replaced with stainless steel, and bubinga, an African hardwood. The kitchen induction burners were the first of their kind. A new cantilevering glass dinning room table is held in place by two concrete pedestals. All switches have been replaced with custom stainless steel buttons and electronic control systems. In the mid 90's an aircraft panel display was installed as a TV the first of its kind. Almost all of the living room furniture was added later, secured in place and made from concrete and stainless steel. thumb|right|Interior of master bedroom The master bedroom went through an extensive remodel and has a concrete lounge cast in the floor at a glass corner that slides away with a push of a button. The floors, cabinets, bed, toilets, sink, and closet were all redone to adjust to the lifestyle of new owner, James Goldstein. The master bedroom was enlarged and glass spanned over the new addition to protect the integrity of the original floor plan. An all glass sink was designed and built so that the view was completely unobstructed.

Over the years a micro climate has been introduced up around the architecture. Goldstein working with a Santa Barbra landscape designer, Eric Nagelmann, have created a tropical garden that has grown, as Goldstein has acquired additional lots around his property.

Above Horizon
The skyspace, also called "above horizon" is an art installation located on a steep slope of below the residence. The skyspace was designed in collaboration with light artist, James Turrell, and architect, Duncan Nicholson. The project is built in the same construction materials as the home. Originally, James Goldstein conceived this art installation as a collaboration between John Lautner and James Turrell, but Lautner died before being able to work extensively on the project. Now finished, the room features two portals that fold away made by a local aerospace engineer using carbon fiber composite materials. The room also contains a built-in concrete lounge to enjoy the thousands of hidden LEDs that flood the room every evening for the sky and light show.

Continued Vision
A new project conceived by Goldstein and envisioned by John Lautner as a schematic concept for a tennis court and guest house on adjacent property is under construction. The project under way has been revised with the assistance from the architect,Duncan Nicholson also included will be an office, recreation room, and theater building that will allow Goldstein to work and entertain from home. The new structures are being constructed from poured in place concrete with all the amenities and gadgets the original home abundantly offered. Additional hardscape projects and art installations are planned to be provide for an ever growing collection on the estate.