Case study houses

The pioneering project that brought modernism to the masses

The Case Study House program (1945–1966) was an exceptional, innovative, and unique event in the history of American architecture. Concentrated on the Los Angeles area, the program oversaw the design of 36 prototype homes, and sought to make available plans for modern residences that could be built easily and cheaply during the postwar building boom. This highly experimental program generated designs that would redefine the modern home, and its profound influence on architecture—American and international—was evident during the program’s existence and remains so today. This compact guide includes all the projects featured in our XL edition, with over 150 photos and plans, and a map showing the locations of all the Case Study Houses, including those no longer extant.

About the editor:
Peter Gössel runs a practice for the design of museums and exhibitions. He is the editor of TASCHEN’s monographs on Julius Shulman, R. M. Schindler, John Lautner and Richard Neutra, as well as the editor of the Basic Architecture Series.

About the author:
Elizabeth A. T. Smith is the former Chief Curator and Deputy Director for programs at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. Previously a curator at MOCA Los Angeles, where she organized “Blueprints for Modern Living: History and Legacy of the Case Study Houses,” Smith has taught at the University of Southern California and the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. She has curated numerous exhibitions and published widely on various aspects of contemporary art and architecture.