Pierre Francis Koenig (Pierre Francis Koenig)

Pierre Francis Koenig

American Architect. Koenig, whose sleek glass-and-steel houses became emblems of the progressive values of Postwar suburbia, was part of a group of architects that also included Charles and Ray Eames, Raphael Soriano and Craig Ellwood, who helped make southern California one of the great laboratories of 20th century architecture. After returning from a four-year stint in the Army during World War II, Koenig, who enrolled at USC’s school of architecture and completed his first house in 1950 while he was still a student, established a private design practice in 1952. His design of the Lamel House in Glendale (1953) and the 1957 Burwash House in Tujunga (1957), mostly utilizing affordable industrial age materials, would prompt the editors at Arts & Architecture magazine to include Koenig for their Case Study House program. Nestled in the Hollywood Hills, Case Study House #21 – Bailey House (1960), a simple geometric form with large windows and skylights, was surrounded with a series of reflecting pools. Case Study House #22 – Stahl House (1962), set high in the Hollywood Hills, the house’s main feature was the living room, enclosed in a glass-and steel-frame, cantilevers out from the edge of the hill toward the horizon. The structure, which was immortalized in a now famous image taken by photographer Julius Shulman, is widely considered the most iconic postwar Los Angeles homes and has been featured in several movies and television shows. In all, Koenig built 43 exposed steel-and-glass buildings and was elected to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects in 1971. While in practice, he taught at the School of Architecture at USC for 40 years and was named both Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Professor at USC in 1998. Koenig died after a battle with leukemia. (bio by: Louis M.)  Family links:  Parents:  Harold R. Koenig (1898 – 1975) Inscription:US ARMY Note: WORLD WAR II

Born

  • October, 17, 1925
  • USA

Died

  • April, 04, 2004
  • USA

Cemetery

  • Los Angeles National Cemetery
  • California
  • USA

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