J.W. Schaffer House, Modernist residence in Glendale, United States.
The J.W. Schaffer House is a 1949 single-storey residence on the northeast edge of the Verdugo Mountains in Glendale's Whiting Woods neighbourhood. John Lautner's design has a low, horizontal massing, an asymmetrical plan and large expanses of glass, and it was laid out around existing oak trees on the site.
Built in 1949 by architect John Lautner, this home represents the mid-century modern movement that emerged in post-war California. This era marked a shift in residential design philosophy that combined practical function with artistic innovation.
The residence gained additional recognition after serving as the primary filming location for the 2009 film 'A Single Man' with Colin Firth.
The house is a private residence, not open to visitors; it can only be seen from the street in the Whiting Woods neighborhood. It was restored in the 2000s and sold in 2012 for $1.35 million. The glass exterior faces the oak-covered slope of the Verdugo Mountains.
The structure was deliberately positioned to incorporate existing oak trees into its layout, preserving and showcasing these natural elements as integral design features. This approach reveals the architect's philosophy of merging nature and built form in harmony.
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