The wildly popular post-and-beam architecture that defined early California modernism was largely pioneered by SoCal architects Calvin C. Straub, Donald C. Hensman and Conrad Buff II. Together they founded a firm that has changed names over the years but remains popularly known to midcentury modern architecture fanatics simply as Buff and Hensman.
Tucked away in a leafy part of Nichols Canyon, up in a semi-remote part of the Hollywood Hills, this classic midcentury home is allegedly one of Buff and Hensman’s earliest creations. Completed circa 1957, the relatively compact structure retains nearly all of the midcentury features that would become the firm’s hallmarks—walls of glass, wood-beamed ceilings with cantilevered overhangs, sliding glass doors for the quintessential indoor/outdoor lifestyle, and all the other archetypal midcentury details you’d expect.
Acclaimed music video director Grant Singer—he’s done videos for Taylor Swift, the Weeknd, Lorde and Travis Scott—knows a good setting when he sees one, so it’s hardly a surprise he recently shelled out $4.2 million for the privilege of calling this place home. The low-slung house was never on the market and last sold in 2021 for just $2.6 million.
Situated on a hairpin turn along one of the Hollywood Hills’ notoriously narrow streets, the long and lean residence is shaded by towering native oak and eucalyptus trees. From the street, guests must travel a path that passes by the two-car detached carport on its way to a rather stunning courtyard.
Beyond that, the home’s open-plan layout features a fireplace-equipped living room, an updated kitchen with modern appliances and granite countertops, and a dining room with floor-to-ceiling walls of glass flaunting both garden and canyon views.
The 1,750-square-foot house offers just two bedrooms, though both are spacious, complete with sitting areas, and flooded with natural light.
But best of all, the nearly half-acre backyard features a swimming pool and spa, plus ample patio space for al fresco dining and entertaining,
In addition to directing dozens of music videos and commercials over the years, Singer recently dabbled in filmmaking with “Reptile,” the 2023 Netflix crime flick starring Benicio Del Toro and Justin Timberlake, which the 40-year-old wrote and directed. The film received middling critical reviews but was a commercial success, becoming Netflix’s #1 most-viewed English language film for three straight weeks.
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