Similarities between R. M. Schindler House and descriptions of traditional Japanese Architecture

Abstract

Kings Road House has become an icon of early modern architecture. This innovative house, described by Schindler as "a cooperative dwelling for two young couples", was considered by Reyner Banham to be a totally new beginning. Although many papers devoted to the house have been published, no research has been conducted into its relationship with the interpreted characteristics of Japanese architecture or the sources from which Schindler may have obtained information about Japan in 1921 without ever having traveled to the country. In this paper, the authors hope to clarify the matter and shed new light on some of the elements of Japanese architecture found in Schindler's House, including the aspects of sun and light control. This was done through research into original documents in archives in California and with the help of contemporary simulation tools, duly tested by means of on-site measurements. The results show clear similarities between key concepts of Schindler House and descriptions of Japanese architecture. Some of these concepts have been considered essential elements of Schindler architecture and were subsequently reproduced in other houses in California.