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John Lautner’s Harpel house, restored in fine style

Midcentury architect John Lautner's Harpel house in the Hollywood Hills was written off by some preservationists after previous owners added a second story and installed stucco walls, track lighting, aluminum window frames and other features ill-suited for the 1956 design. After two years of renovation, however, current owner Mark Haddawy has revived Lautner's original vision, peeling away misguided additions and studiously re-creating the architect's light fixtures, doorknobs and other details.

Midcentury architect John Lautner’s Harpel house in the Hollywood Hills was written off by some preservationists after previous owners added a second story and installed stucco walls, track lighting, aluminum window frames and other features ill-suited for the 1956 design. After two years of renovation, however, current owner Mark Haddawy has revived Lautner’s original vision, peeling away misguided additions and studiously re-creating the architect’s light fixtures, doorknobs and other details.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

The midcentury architect’s house in the Hollywood Hills had been written off by preservationists after one resident added a second story and other features ill-suited for the 1956 design. But after two years of renovation, current owner Mark Haddawy has revived Lautner’s original vision.

Harpel house, John Lautner

Harpel house was built for Willis Harpel, a radio announcer in the 1950s. The house sits below the Chemosphere, one of Los Angeles’ most famous residences, with an expansive view of the San Fernando Valley and the San Gabriel Mountains in the distance.

Back to L.A. at Home   (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Harpel house, John Lautner

Throughout the property, inside and out, wood beams create a kind of criss-crossing effect seen here in a skylight in the living room.

Back to L.A. at Home   (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Harpel house, John Lautner

The beams connect via concrete columns, forming a visual pattern that starts in the entry courtyard and runs through the house and out the back, where the beams serve as cover for the pool deck.

Back to L.A. at Home   (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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Harpel house, John Lautner

A TV room with exposed beams.

Back to L.A. at Home   (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Harpel house, John Lautner

Haddawy pored over old photographs and blueprints before embarking on the renovation, which included new custom lighting that matches the original design.

Back to L.A. at Home   (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Harpel Gallery

In the purposefully cave-like living room, the use of natural materials is meant to blur the boundary between inside and out.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Harpel Gallery

Haddawy in the dining room, with the kitchen beyond. Previous owners had ripped out built-ins in an effort to make the house feel more spacious and unwittingly removed two kitchen islands that Lautner had used to frame the view.

Back to L.A. at Home   (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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Harpel Gallery

“I think it’s important to save these houses,” says Haddawy, who estimates that he spent $500,000 on the renovation. “These are major works of art.”

Back to L.A. at Home   (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Harpel Gallery

“You have these absolutely incredible views from every room in the house,” Haddawy says. “And they just drop off like an infinity pool, which really gives you this sensation of floating.”

Back to L.A. at Home   (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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