Kappe residence published in Swiss Architectural Magazine Ideales Heim

Cube Images produced this photo feature of the iconic Kappe Residence in the Pacific Palisades in California. Completed in 1968, it's the best example of Ray Kappe's strength as an architect: his ability to answer complex design problems with inventive, beautiful buildings. The biggest problems on the project were a steeply sloped site and a running stream. His answer was a series of six concrete tower supports and a bridgework of laminated beams. The house tiptoed over he site, sparing trees, stream, and the delicate beauty of the topography. Developers at the time were cutting hills to make pads. He had been working on the idea of a system of modules to get buildings above grade. Many of his houses ended up using this system because it required the least amount of foundation. Kappe's much awarded and published work is considered to be an extension of the early Southern California master architects: Wright, Schindler, Neutra, and Harwell Hamilton Harris.