Pierre Koenig
| Pierre Francis Koenig | |
|---|---|
| Born |
October 17, 1925 San Francisco, California United States |
| Died |
April 4, 2004 (aged 78) Brentwood, California United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Southern California |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Buildings |
|
Pierre Francis Koenig (October 17, 1925 – April 4, 2004) was an American architect. He was a Professor of Architecture at the University of Southern California School of Architecture from 1964 until his death in 2004. He was the director of the undergraduate building science program since 1980.
Early life
The son of a salesman, Koenig was born in San Francisco. The family moved to Southern California in 1939.[1] After returning from a four-year tour in the Army during World War II, he enrolled at the architecture school. He received his B.Arch. in 1952.[1]
Career
Koenig worked with Raphael Soriano, among others, and began private practice in 1952. Koenig practiced mainly on the West Coast and was most notable for the design of the Case Study Houses No. 21 and 22 in 1960. Both 21 (the Bailey House) and 22 (the Stahl House) were constructed on dramatic, otherwise-unbuildable sites.[2][3] Particularly the Case Study House #22, photographed by Julius Shulman, is widely considered the iconic postwar L.A. home, with its sweeping city views and openness to the outdoors.[4]
At USC, Koenig led the undergraduate building science program. At the time, the Building Science group at USC also included Ralph Lewis Knowles Ralph Lewis Knowles and Konrad Wachsman Konrad Wachsman.
Koenig died of leukemia in 2004 at 78.[4] He was survived by his wife, Gloria; sons, Randall and Jean Pierre; and two stepsons, Barry and Thomas Kaufman.[1]
In 2007, Koenig’s Case Study #21 sold at auction for $3.1 million.[5]
References
- 1 2 3 Pierre Koenig, Architect, 78, In Los Angeles New York Times, April 7, 2004.
- ↑ Ouroussoff, Nicolai (6 April 2004). "Pierre Koenig, 78; Architect's Designs Personify Modernism". Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ "Pierre Koenig papers and drawings, 1925-2007". Getty Research Institute. J. Paul Getty Trust.
- 1 2 Eryn Brown (August 4, 2005), A Modern dream come true Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ Stacie Stukin (October 7, 2007), Safe Houses T: The New York Times Style Magazine.
External links
- Pierre Koenig's web site
- Koenig tribute page at Jet Set modern
- Koenig remembrance at ArchitectureWeek
- Finding aid for Pierre Koenig drawings and papers