Commissioned by famed graphic designer Saul Bass, this house was featured as Case Study House #20B in the November 1958 Arts & Architecture magazine issue, as part of the Case Study House Program led by visionary editor John Entenza.
The Bass House is a testament to how industrialized construction techniques, particularly prefabrication, can revolutionize residential design.
The project designed by the architectural firm Buff, Straub & Hensman highlighted the potential of modern materials and building methods to create affordable, functional, and aesthetically engaging homes.
This post will explore how these prefabrication techniques influenced the design and lasting impact of the Bass House, offering a deeper understanding of its significance in architectural history.
Saul Bass: A Visionary Client
Saul Bass, was not just any graphic designer. While he started his career in New York City, where he was born in 1920, he moved with his family to the West Coast and became a legend in the world of film and design. His reputation was rapidly earned for his groundbreaking motion picture title sequences and corporate logos.
Bass designed some of the most iconic corporate logos in North America, including the Bell System logo in 1969, as well as AT&T’s globe logo in 1983. He also designed Continental Airlines’ 1968 jet stream logo and United Airlines’ 1974 tulip logo, which became some of the most recognized airline industry logos of the era.
During his 40-year career Bass worked for some of Hollywood’s most prominent filmmakers, including Alfred Hitchcock, Otto Preminger, Billy Wilder, Stanley Kubrick and Martin Scorsese.
His work changed the visual landscape of cinema. Martin Scorsese said of him: “Before I ever met him, before we worked together, he was a legend in my eyes. His designs, for film titles and company logos and record albums and posters, defined an era.
In essence, they found and distilled the poetry of the modern, industrialised world.”
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ASK FOR QUOTESBut Bass’s vision extended beyond the screen—he sought a home that reflected his artistic sensibilities and embraced the natural beauty surrounding him.
When Bass discovered the work of Buff, Straub & Hensman in various design magazines, he was drawn to their modern approach that emphasized clean lines, natural materials, and a seamless blend between indoor and outdoor spaces.
This shared aesthetic forged an almost instantaneous connection between Bass and the architectural team.
However, this collaboration wasn’t without its challenges. Known for his meticulous nature, Bass had a clear vision of what he wanted and pushed the architects to experiment with new materials and techniques.
The steep site selected for the Bass House, which featured pre-existing trees, posed unique challenges that the architects embraced as an opportunity to push architectural boundaries.
Design Philosophy: Blending Nature and Functionality
Buff, Straub & Hensman’s design philosophy emphasizes simplicity, functionality, and a strong connection to nature.
The Bass House exemplifies this ethos, showcasing how modern materials and thoughtful design can create spaces that are both stunning and practical.
The residence features an open floor plan that maximizes space and enhances the flow of light and air. Large glass walls establish a seamless connection between the interior and the surrounding landscape, allowing natural light to illuminate the home while inviting the beauty of the outdoors inside.
This characteristic is emblematic of mid-century design, where the boundaries between architecture and nature blur.
Unique design elements reflect the client’s adaptation of avant-garde and atypical ideas in residential projects, including curved ceilings, a barrel-vaulted roof, and a circular brick fireplace. Saul Bassed said about the vault:
“They are an important visual aspect, but the beauty of the spaces does not depend upon them. They add the richness of curved space, and the sensuous satisfaction of curved volumes, but what was most pleasing were the vistas from every point. As in the piazza system of European cityscapes, you move around a bend and space is revealed.”
Notably, an extraordinary request from the client was for a large tree on the site to remain, leading to one wall of the house resting against its trunk as it soared through the open lattice of the terrace roof.
Though the tree has since been removed, this decision exemplifies the thoughtful integration of nature into architectural design.
Prefabrication and Industrialized Construction Techniques
What truly set the Bass House apart within the Case Study House Program was its use of prefabrication—a method that allowed for faster, more efficient construction without sacrificing design quality.
The Case Study House Program itself was a platform for exploring new ways to address the increasing housing needs of the period. The Bass House, with its emphasis on prefabricated components, became a key example of how industrialized construction techniques could redefine residential architecture.
Unlike many Case Study Houses framed in steel, CSH #20B utilized a post-and-beam wood construction set on a concrete slab foundation.
This approach was both innovative and economical, demonstrating that beautiful, modern homes could be built on a modest budget.
One of the most notable features of the house was its use of prefabricated Douglas Fir plywood products, as described in the November 1958 issue of Arts & Architecture:
“The construction of Case Study House No. 20 was unique in that it was based upon the experimental use of several prefabricated Douglas Fir plywood products as part of the structural concept. This system consists of a series of continuous plywood box beams, stressed-skin plywood panels, and hollow-core plywood vaults, all fabricated by the Berkley Plywood Company. The parts, fabricated in northern California, were trucked to the site and hand-fed by forklift hoist, making possible rapid erection techniques.”
This use of prefabrication allowed for rapid assembly and cost-efficiency, making it an attractive option for homeowners in the postwar era.
The plywood vaults covering the central area of the house, for example, were positioned and secured in under 90 minutes—an impressive feat of engineering and design.
The prefabricated components, such as the stressed-skin panels and hollow-core plywood vaults, not only contributed to the home’s structural integrity but also showcased the potential of prefabrication in creating flexible, lightweight, and durable structures.
These elements were key in achieving the architects’ vision of a modern, affordable home that could be constructed with efficiency and precision.
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ASK FOR QUOTESCultural Impact: An Architectural Icon
Over time, the Bass House became more than just a home—it became an architectural icon. Its inclusion in the Case Study House Program elevated its status, while Bass’s fame in the design and film industries brought further attention to the residence.
Frequently featured in architectural magazines, the house became a reference point for modern residential design in the 1960s and 1970s.
The Bass House exemplifies the Southern California modernist tradition, with its emphasis on casual, outdoor living. The open design, natural materials, and transparency reflect regional trends while also influencing mainstream residential architecture.
The seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces resonates deeply with contemporary architecture’s focus on sustainability and wellness.
Modern homeowners increasingly seek environments that provide comfort, beauty, and a connection to nature—a desire the Bass House met decades before these concepts became mainstream.
Conclusion: The Lasting Legacy of the Bass House
The Bass House stands as a powerful example of how industrialized construction techniques and artistic vision can come together to create something truly timeless.
The collaboration between Saul Bass and Buff, Straub & Hensman not only resulted in an iconic home but also highlighted the potential of prefabrication in modern architecture.
Saul Bass’s divorce from his first wife, Ruth Cooper, led to the unfortunate sale of the home, and they didn’t spend much time living there. However, the lasting influence of this unique client is preserved in the legacy of Case Study House #20B.
The Bass House remains a source of inspiration for architects and designers alike. Its groundbreaking use of materials and construction techniques continues to provide key insights for modern architecture, particularly in the fields of sustainable design and affordable housing.
Looking ahead, the Bass House serves as a powerful reminder that with creativity, innovation, and a dedication to quality, we can create homes that not only endure but also inspire future generations.
Images: All house photos by Julius Shulman ©Getty Archives
