Malibu: A Century of Living by the Sea
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,Photography & Video
Malibu: A Century of Living by the Sea Details
Amazon.com Review Renowned Southern California architectural photographer Julius Shulman began exploring Malibu in 1929. Nearly 80 years later, he is still bringing back pictures of paradise—except that the pristine landscape is now a backdrop for luxury homes. In Malibu: A Century of Living by the Sea, more than 300 lush vintage and new photographs by Shulman and his collaborator Juergen Nogai capture the look and feel of a private Shangri-La. While many of the homes were designed by architects with local and international reputations--including James Moore, Frank Gehry and Richard Meier--the book also conveys the quirky flavor of do-it-yourself designs that hark back to the beach town's beginnings. A brief historical section describes how a Massachusetts millionaire's $10-per-acre land purchase was transformed into the Malibu Film Colony. Beginning in 1924, 30-foot-wide oceanfront lots were rented to Hollywood stars, who built modest weekend hideaways. Once ownership restrictions were lifted, the style parade began. In 1948, Modernist architect Welton Becket designed a flat-roofed beach house for his family with broad expanses of glass facing the ocean and a deep roof overhang to protect against the dazzling sun. Twenty years later, John Lautner worked his magic on a narrow lot by designing a towering curved concrete shell—like a surf rider's wave—enclosing the floor-to-ceiling glass facade of Stevens House. Before land costs became prohibitive, artists and musicians often designed their own homes in eclectic, personal styles that incorporated local crafts, or even an oak tree growing in the living room. Local architects developed inventive ways of handling difficult sites, the constant threat of fire and the requirements of the California Coastal Commission. And the super-rich built their palaces, ranging from a crenellated monstrosity called The Castle Kashan to an 7,000-square-foot modular compound designed by Bart Prince. Invitingly packaged, except for the hard-to-read gray type, Malibu is above all a showcase for Shulman's signature manipulation of sunlight and shadow to reveal architectural form. —-Cathy Curtis Read more
Reviews
Malibu has been the place for rich and famous with its oceanfront homes and picturesque views. The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) that cuts through the city sits right next to the ocean but beneath the Santa Monica Mountains giving auto drivers the best view of Pacific Ocean. Ever since the city was founded in 1920s, Rancho Malibu attracted the Hollywood elite who came here for peace and tranquility. This also attracted well known architects and interior decorators to design and decorate the residences that gave a depth to the seaside living. Of course the wealthy residents could afford the cost to build the best houses; thus came the magnificent mansions in MalibuIn this book the author provides a pictorial history of Malibu. There are many pictures of homes of movie stars of 1920s/30s/40s who made Malibu as their home. There is also some discussion of the work of architects in designing these houses. Historically significant houses like the Adamson house is also shown in this book with several views of the ocean, and also the interior of the house. This house still sits at its original spot across from Malibu Colony, a thriving shopping center and the house is open for visitors. The chief architect of Adamson's house was Stiles O Clement.Some of the historical pictures that interested me are the following: a 1890 picture of Paradise Cove; 1929 picture of the opening of picturesque Pacific Coast Highway (then called Roosevelt Highway); a 1893 picture of Rindge family home; 1939 picture of Malibu Colony with its own private beach; and 1924 picture of actress Louise Fazenda's house.The highly unconventional Stevens house of Malibu was designed by the architect John Lautner; one of the twentieth century's most extraordinarily gifted and experimental designers. His work is shown in several pictures of the house still located in Malibu Colony. Moore House, "Windcliff" on the top of Saddle Peak (elevation 2,800 feet); another beautiful house was designed by architect James Moore. This house has stunning views of the ocean. The Hodges Castle is a 15,200 sq. foot castle built by architect Thomas Hodges. This structure is known for crenellated skyline, astonishing mass and perfect sitting on the landscape overlooking Malibu Lagoon State Park. This is the private home of a real princess and the castle was renamed as Kashan Castle. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Malibu, California; seafront homes; architecture and interior designing. This also makes a great book for your tea table.
