May was a busy and celebratory month for Chattel! The Bailey House (Case Study House #21) won awards from both the Los Angeles Conservancy and the California Preservation Foundation for its achievement in historic preservation.
Designed by master architect Pierre Koenig in 1958-1959 as part of the Case Study House Program, the Bailey House represents the program’s new way of thinking about housing and mass production. Koenig’s steel framed house is an excellent example of Mid-Century Modern style and has been designated as a Historic-Cultural Monument and individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places (as part of a multiple property submission of Case Study Houses). In order to preserve this masterpiece, Chattel consulted on a structural retrofit and comprehensive rehabilitation and restoration of the building. Koenig’s original drawings as well as Julius Shulman photographs were used as reference to maintain the architect’s vision for the design of the house.
While honoring the original building, the project found balance making functional improvements. Structural stabilization ensures that there will be no further damage or collapse to the property. Deteriorated historic features were repaired where possible or replaced based on historic documentation. Through careful restoration the building was returned to its original appearance.
The Los Angeles Conservancy recognized the Bailey House project for its outstanding achievement in historic preservation. The team accepted the award at the celebration at the Netflix Egyptian Theater. Just two weeks later it was honored again at the California Preservation Conference at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. The California Preservation Foundation awarded the Bailey House under the category of preservation or restoration.
Congratulations to everyone on the Bailey House team!