Snakeskin and Modernism

Being a fan of artist James Turrell's works, both big and small, after reading "The Sky Box" in today's New York Times I tried to find more information on his latest "skyspace", designed for Century City businessman James Goldstein. But finding the client's own web page, I became intrigued by his personality and his tastes in architecture, landscaping and fashion.

Goldstein's residence is a dramatic structure designed by Frank Lloyd Wright disciple John Lautner in the 1960s for Paul and Helen Sheats, who could only afford to live in the house a few years. When Goldstein bought the house many years later, its condition worsened by other owners, he decided to solicit the architect to remodel and extend the house to suit in 1981. Although pictures of the house and its dramatic vistas are well-known, it is probably more famous for its portrayal as the abode of Jackie Treehorn in the Coen Brothers movie, The Big Lebowski.


Goldstein Residence.

In 1989, with the remodeling in progress, Goldstein turned to landscape designer Eric Nagelmann to create a lush, tropical garden reminiscent of Bali or Tahiti. By planting large palms to create deep shade, and laying an irrigation system, they were able to create a tropical microclimate in the dry, Beverly Hills climate. The outcome is extraordinary, blending surprisingly well with Lautner's design.

Turrell's "skyspace" is just another piece in Goldstein's canyon collection of modern architecture. Filled with more than 5,000 concealed LED and incandescent lights, the interior is a remote sanctuary down the slope from his house where the owner can retreat to enjoy the light, listen to music, or enjoy the view.