Silvertop, designed by acclaimed architect John Lautner, is a landmark mid-century modern residence widely regarded as one of Lautner’s masterpieces and a significant turning point in his career. Often compared to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater in terms of its importance to West Coast architecture, Silvertop stands as a hallmark of innovative design. Its seamless integration with nature, combined with technological advancements and its historical significance, makes it a unique and enduring masterpiece of 20th-century architecture.
- Name: Silvertop
- Bedrooms: 3
- Bathrooms: 4
- Size: 4,721 sq. ft.
- Lot: 1.25 acres
- Commissioned: 1956
- Restored: 2016
John Lautner’s iconic Silvertop house in Los Angeles is a landmark of mid-century architecture and innovation, commissioned by industrialist Kenneth Reiner in 1956. Situated on a hilltop overlooking Silver Lake in Los Angeles, the house incorporates advanced technical elements, such as a pre-stressed concrete roof that spans an astonishing 80 feet, echoing the contours of the surrounding landscape. Lautner’s vision for a home that blended into its natural environment resulted in several pioneering features, including one of the first-ever infinity pools and an air-floor heating and cooling system. The house also incorporates mechanical innovations like a retractable glass wall, which can open the living room to breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean in the west and the mountains in the east. The collaboration between Reiner and Lautner pushed the boundaries of architectural design during the Atomic Age, setting new standards for the intersection of form, function, and futurism.
In the 1970s, after years of remaining unfinished, the house was acquired by the Burchill family, who brought Lautner back to help complete and modify the residence to meet their needs. However, it wasn’t until 2014, under the new ownership of Luke Wood, former president of Beats by Dr. Dre, and his wife Sophia Nardin, that the house underwent a significant restoration. Architect Barbara Bestor was commissioned to modernize the space while preserving its historic integrity. Bestor Architecture’s approach involved updating the home’s mechanical systems, including the retractable living room wall, which originally “chugged like a locomotive” but now operates quietly and efficiently. The kitchen, which had been altered in the 1970s, was restored to its original layout, featuring vertical Cypress panels to contrast with the original horizontally oriented ones. Bestor’s careful preservation work also extended to upgrading the lighting to meet contemporary efficiency standards, ensuring the house remains functional in the 21st century without compromising its original design ethos.
According to Curbed Los Angeles:
Wood and Nardin paid $8.55 million for Silvertop. “Renovation costs amounted to roughly the equivalent of the purchase price, according to several estimates, including about $1 million” for lighting alone, says the Journal.
Silvertop is a shining example of how modern architecture can evolve while honoring its past. Bestor Architecture’s sensitive renovation breathed new life into Lautner’s masterpiece, combining mid-century design with cutting-edge technology. The restoration has been lauded with numerous awards, including the AIA Los Angeles Merit Award for Adaptive Reuse and a Residential Design Award of Excellence from Docomomo US. Silvertop’s continued relevance in both architectural and design communities underscore its importance as a symbol of forward-thinking design. Its status as one of the most technically innovative homes in the world remains intact, drawing attention from architecture enthusiasts, historians, and homeowners alike.
- Architect: John Lautner (1956)
- Architect: Bestor Architecture (2016)
- Contractor: NWGC, Inc. Architectural Construction
- Engineering: Nous Engineering
- Interiors: Jamie Bush & Co
- Landscape: Studio MLA
- Photography: Tim Street Porter / Iwan Baan
- Owners: Luke Wood (Former President, Beats by Dr. Dre) and his wife Sophia Nardin (Writer) – 2024
- Location: 2138 Micheltorena St, Los Angeles, CA, USA
