In one of the happier pairings of the mid-20th century, a plywood company executive commissioned prolific LA architect Lawrence Test to design this three-bedroom Pasadena home. The commission, executed in 1949, called for all-wood construction that made ample use of local, natural plywood. Test framed the modernist cabin with Philippine marine mahogany, clearly revealing the half-timbered structure, now stained a verdigris shade. In all other respects, he followed his client’s desire for a predominantly plywood interior. Ribbon-grade mahogany panels define the living, dining, and work areas and extend across the bedroom ceilings, while the bedroom walls are clad in exposed elm and birch.
Hernly House, also known as “the house with the plywood skin,” is currently for sale on The Value of Architecture for $1.64 million.
Photography: The Value of Architecture
Photography: The Value of Architecture
Photography: The Value of Architecture
Photography: The Value of Architecture
Photography: The Value of Architecture
Photography: The Value of Architecture
Photography: The Value of Architecture
Photography: The Value of Architecture
Photography: The Value of Architecture
Photography: The Value of Architecture
The 1,700-square-foot project demonstrated the simplicity and lightness of plywood construction. The wood was also hailed as an effective insulating material at the time. Test built fans into the walls that could be opened for ventilation and closed in colder weather, eliminating the need for air conditioning for decades.
The striking floors were put together with an oak mosaic. And the vintage kitchen features cabinets with breadboard doors. The rustic design includes wide glass surfaces that allow sunlight to stream into the rooms.
Legendary landscape architect Garrett Eckbo was commissioned by the client to create the now mature gardens on the gently sloping 930 square meter lot, which frame a long pool area and an outdoor dining area.
The buyers will be the third owners of the Pasadena property in 75 years and will inherit a house in near-original condition, with features that have remained largely unchanged over the decades. The photos accompanying the offer show how little the interiors have changed since they appeared in Gebhard and Winter’s architectural guide to Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times And Architecture Forum.
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