Rudolph Michael Schindler (born Rudolf Michael Schlesinger; September 10, 1887 – August 22, 1953) was an Austrian-born American architect whose most important works were built in or near Los Angeles during the early to mid-twentieth century.
Although he worked and trained with some of its foremost practitioners, he often is associated with the fringes of the modernist movement in architecture. His use of complex three-dimensional forms, "warm" materials, and striking colors, as well as his ability to work within tight budgets, however, have placed him as one of the mavericks of early twentieth century architecture. Reyner Banham said he designed "as if there had never been houses before."
Early history
right|thumb|283px|Lovell Beach House, Newport Beach, Balboa, California, designed by Rudolph Schindler in 1922
Rudolf Michael Schindler was born on September 10, 1887, to a middle-class Jewish family in Vienna, Austria. His father was a wood and metal craftsman and an importer; his mother was a dressmaker. He attended the Imperial and Royal High School, from 1899 to 1906, and enrolled at the Vienna University of Technology before attending the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts, or Wagnerschule, being graduated in 1911 with a degree in architecture. For unknown reasons, his family changed their surname from 'Schlesinger' to 'Schindler' in 1901. The MAK Center offers a variety of exhibitions and events. The center also sponsors six-month residencies for emerging architects and artists who are housed in the Mackey Apartments.
Selected projects (existing)
- 1922 – Schindler House, 835 North Kings Road, West Hollywood, California
- 1922–1926 – Lovell Beach House, Newport Beach, Balboa Peninsula, California
- 1923 – El Pueblo Ribera Court, La Jolla, California
- 1925 – How House for James Eads How, Silverlake, Los Angeles, California
- City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument#895
- 1926 – Manola Court apartment building for Herman Sachs, Edgecliff Drive, Los Angeles, California
- 1928 – Wolfe House, Avalon, Catalina Island, California (demolished in 2002)
- 1928–1952 – Samuel Freeman House (two guest apartments and furniture), Hollywood Heights, Los Angeles, California
- 1930 – R. E. Elliot House, Newdale Drive, Los Angeles
- City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument#690
- 1933 – W. E. Oliver House, Micheltorena Street, Los Angeles, California
- 1933 – The Rainbow Ballroom, Denver (see also Verne Byers)
- 1934 – J. J. Buck House, Genesee Street, Los Angeles, California
- City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument#122
- 1934 – Bennati A-Frame house, Lake Arrowhead, California
- 1935 – DeKeyser Duplex, Hollywood Heights, Los Angeles, California
- 1936 – Ralph G. Walker House, N Kenilworth Ave, Los Angeles, CA
- 1937 – H. Rodakiewicz House, Los Angeles, California
- 1938 – Bubeshko Apartments, Los Angeles, California
- City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument#831
- 2017 Docomomo Award of Excellence for restoration
- 1938 – Wilson House, Los Angeles, California
- City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument#965
- 1939 – Mackey Apartments, South Cochran Avenue, Los Angeles, California
- 1940 – Van Dekker House, Woodland Hills, California
- 1940 – House on Ellis Avenue, Inglewood, California
- 1940 – S. Goodwin House, Studio City, California
- 1941 – Druckman Residence, Los Angeles, California
- 1944 – Bethlehem Baptist Church, 4900 S. Compton Ave., Los Angeles, California
- 1946 – Roxy Roth Residence, Studio City, California
- 1948 – Laurelwood Apartments, Studio City, California
- City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument#228
- 1950 – Tischler House, Los Angeles, California
- City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument#506
- 1952 – Schlesinger House, Los Angeles, California