Sheats Apartments by John Lautner. Complete overview and walkthrough of L'Horizon/The Treehouse

This is the only apartment building by John Lautner. It's a true organic and futuristic design, and one Lautner's best designs. Intended for student housing, it was comissioned by the same person who also commisioned the Sheats Goldstein House. With my own drawings and with photos found on the internet. I created a walhtrough. To preserve the legacy by John Lautner and to enjoy the beauty of his work.

[@kaptuna1]

Shame on those who have let this masterpiece fall into ruins.

[@SuperJobbel]

Yes, it's a renovation very hard.

[@robertschneider8260]

Great breakdown of the building, another amazing Lautner design. Looking forward to the next video!

[@SuperJobbel]

Thank you for your comment. The next video will be about the Turner House in Aspen, Colorado.

[@radsk8rbigollies594]

I love seeing details like the brick BBQ grill included into the "community" space & light inviting skeletonized roof sections, which shows functionality was in mind and not just aesthetics. Although his designs are always pleasing to the eye, they never feel like comfort or joy of the tenant was ever compromised.

[@SuperJobbel]

Yes that's the brilliance of John Lautner: not only beautiful to look at, but also comfortable to live in.

[@thebob01]

It's a shame these Lautner designed apartments fell into disrepair over the years. They should be restored to their former glory.

[@SuperJobbel]

100% agree with you.

[@JeanPierreVanderWeerd]

Amazing complex. Trully exceptional. Ingenius can’t even describe it. Thanks Job for sharing

[@SuperJobbel]

Graag gedaan. Inderdaad opnieuw weer een waanzinnig goed ontwerp van Lautner. M'n volgende video gaat over het Turner Huis in Aspen, Colorado.

[@phylliscraine]

I cannot even imagine the challenge it was to create this video! The complexity of this design is astonishing. I think this is one of your finest videos. And the student ghetto this building has become...students never change unfortunately. So many worrying issues: water damage, inappropriate "decor" such as the hanging bicycle wheels, the trash, graffiti and suffering trees and plants. So sad. I do hope this building can be restored and saved.

[@SuperJobbel]

Yes it was really a challenge to make it. Great to read that you call this my finest video because I try to improve every new video I make: hoping to achieve a professional level. Indeed there's is a lot of detoriation going on with the house: maybe it needs to be restored and then to rent to real architecture lovers, archtitecture students or something. The next video will be about John Lautner's Turner House in Colorado. See you then!

[@diegobob3306]

UCLA should restore the complex and use it to house visiting faculty or grad students. Thanks for bringing us another great video, was completely unaware of this project. Apartment complexes this unique will become increasingly rare in the future, this one should be preserved, hopefully it will be

[@LVQ-so5th]

Do they own it? It's off-campus.

[@diegobob3306]

@@LVQ-so5th I'm assuming they don't, was suggesting they try to acquire it and preserve it

[@SuperJobbel]

I don't know if they own it or not. I guess that if they own it would be in better condition.

[@SuperJobbel]

I don't know if they own it.

[@SuperJobbel]

I hope it will be restored soon. It's definitely unique, but restoring it will demand a lot of fortune.

[@jayparks2361]

I'm so glad you haven't run out of Lautner projects yet! Maybe, with occasional projects by lesser architects (that Wright guy and others), you can keep these videos running for a long time! I appreciate every new fresh and new project, although I suppose "fresh and new" isn't the exact phrase to apply to projects that are the better part of a century old.

[@SuperJobbel]

Yes, by far I haven't run out of Lautner projects yet. At least 10 videos about Lautner design will come up. After that I would like to do the houses by Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Neutra and the Case Study Houses. The designs by Lautner still look fresh and new, even after more half a century.

[@d.bcooper7819]

What a great video to wake up to, that made my day!

[@SuperJobbel]

Thank you for your comment. Your reaction stimulates me to make more videos! :)

[@Toodle.Pipp001]

Needs to get some architecture students in to restore them, especially the ponds, they would have helped to keep the building cool in the summer.

[@SuperJobbel]

Yes that's a good idea! Let the students of restore of the UCLA restore the building as a student project.

[@RobertTempler]

Fascinating video. Thanks.

[@SuperJobbel]

You're welcome. Great that you liked the video.

[@johnoden2857]

How nice that students have always lived in this still fresh and ingenious design! The slow deteriorzation of the exterior and interiors seems to be at a critical point. It would be great if UCLA's design and architecture community could team up with a charitable organization to get the resources necessary to restore the structures and the gardens. This is definitely a key Lautner work and its careful restoration would add definitively to his reputation.

[@SuperJobbel]

I Agree with you that the design is a key work for John Lautner and its unique fir his body of work. Indeed I hope that the UCLA or someone else restore this building because it's a beautiful place for students to live. Lets share this video and spread the message.

[@filoflin5345]

This is my favourite channel atm.Perfectly and professionally explained in a very calm mannerr.Thank you so so much.Lautner has grown lately to be my favourite architect.

[@SuperJobbel]

Thank you! Great to read that you like the channel so much! Your comment stimulates me to make more content! Next video will be uploaded soon.

[@thebob01]

Love the Sheats Goldstein residence. Such an iconic design by Lautner.

[@mootzeroni]

I lived in the round 1st apartment on the right when I was at UCLA in the 80’s with 3 buddies. I had bedroom 2 in your video. It was magical. My small room was like a womb with the rich wood vertical louvered window. It spawned a lifelong love of architecture, and i have been restoring and re-restoring a Richard Neutra house for the past 27 years. I’ve even thought about building a single-room ADU recreating that wonderful pie-shaped room on my hillside. Marvelous work on this presentation. Bravo!

[@SuperJobbel]

Thank you! Really great to read your comment :) Funny that someone who has actually lived in the apartment has watched the video and enjoys it. Also great that living in the apartment started your interest in architecture. You should recreate a similar apartment on your backyard: the world cannot get enough Lautner inspired houses because they are so beautiful. I'm almost finished with making videos about all the important designs by Lautner. Than I'm gonna make a series of videos the house by F.L Wright, then Neutra and the CasestudyHouses. So still a lot of videos coming up. Till the next

[@elpezleta]

Very interesting and intricated design. The conditions nowadays is a little sad. Thanks for a great job again Jop, that one was completly unknown for me

[@SuperJobbel]

Great that you liked the video. Indeed the building is not in a good condition and it needs to be restored. Funny that you didn't of the existence of the building: your not the only one, this structure is sadly little known

[@gregoryfranks7347]

How amazing! My friend you never cease to amaze me. I've never seen such in depth information about these apartment. Outstanding my friend. I'm hoping 1 day you'll be able to compile info pictures and information on the levy house, concrete castle. Once again you provide amazing details and descriptions on a bueatiful Lautner design. Tremendous thanks. cheers

[@SuperJobbel]

You're welcome! It was a long wish for me to make a complete overview of these apartments but it was a lot of work to gather all the info and make the drawings. It's also a long wish to make a video about the Levy House, but the first owner still lives as a hermit there and no photos are allowed to be taken.. (Only a handfull of photos do exist, made just after the completion by construction workers and made by Lautner himself) The lack of photos makes it impossible to capture the house in a video for now (I do have all the drawings of the house though). Hopefully in the future someone else will allow to make photos of the interior. The upcoming video will be about John Lautner's Turner House in Aspen, Colorado. Till then!

[@Brian-os9qj]

John Lautner is/was a marvel. Thx for this presentation.

[@SuperJobbel]

You're welcome! Indeed John Lautner was a marvel and he deserves more recognition, that's why I started this channel.

[@petertullemans]

Fabulous work colourising the floor plans to make them easier to read! Keep up the great work ❤❤❤

[@SuperJobbel]

Thank you! great that you liked the video. All my next videos will have the coloured floorplans. Next video will be about the Turner House in Aspen, Colorado.

[@eladyihie2502]

Thank you jop for another grate video, keep up the good work we love it !!!

[@SuperJobbel]

You're welcome! I like making these videos: next episode will be about the Turner House in Aspen, Colorado.

[@dorothythorpe6183]

Thank you! Again, a building that is hard to fully grasp on paper alone. I very much enjoyed your walkthrough!

[@SuperJobbel]

You're welcome! This building is indeed difficult completely. For me it was quite a puzzle to make this video. I think it's one Lautner's most interesting designs because it is his apartment building. More videos will come up soon, next video is about the Turner House by Lautner.

[@grantwatson9232]

Hey Jop. Thank you for another great video, as usual your take on the design and the way you breakdown the composition and present the results is outstanding. Cheers G

[@SuperJobbel]

Your welcome! Your positive comment stimulates me to make more videos. Great to read that the break down and lay out of the house was clearly explained. Thanks for your support and till the next video that will be about the Turner House in Aspen, Colorado, also designed by Lautner.

[@KJSvitko]

Large roof over hangs are beautiful and protect the doors, windows and siding from rain and moisture damage. Water is the enemy of buildings. Architects and home builders need to bring back large roof over hangs

[@SenexCanadensis]

I'm a new subscriber but have been a casual admirer of John Lautner's work since I saw a photo spread of the Sheats Goldstein house back in the 90's. Thanks to your channel, I've learned more about JL, the principles underlying his architecture and the technical processes involved in his creations in the past few months than in the previous 25 years. As for this project, I'm guessing it's in a now unpopular neighbourhood. Otherwise, some clever developer would have found a way to capitalize on the Lautner name, which does have cachet now, by turning the building into a boutique hotel or condo like the Desert Hot Springs Hotel.

[@SuperJobbel]

Thanks for your comment and great that you learned more about JL through my videos. Also great that you learned more about his architecture than in the past 25 years. That gives me a great feeIing that I do something good and it stimulates me to go on with making more content....., I don't know why this building isnt restored yet because its located in quite a popular neighbourhood, close to the University. I guess it's not restored because its considered as cheap student accomodation. Maybe the university owns it and there's no budget for it.

[@themooseface]

You should go do a beer bong with the students! Great video, i enjoyed all the cutaways!

[@SuperJobbel]

Thanks for your comment. Yes I definitely want beer pong game with the students there! :) Great location for a student party!

[@sharksport01]

Another great video, thank you!

[@madamemarmot]

Very interesting video. The Sheats Apartment building is still ahead of its time.

[@SuperJobbel]

Yes, it's unbelievable that it was designed already in 1949, looks more like a design from the 70's. Avery underrating design by Lautner. I especially like the courtyard with the trees in the middle.

[@madamemarmot]

@@SuperJobbel If it were restored as it should be, it would be a heavenly place to live.

[@SuperJobbel]

@@madamemarmot Yes I agree with you. The apartment building has a beautiful design, it can be an amazing place. The courtyard takes you away from bussines of downtown LA.

[@Dutch1954]

Anything John Lautner and I'm there. Thank You for posting this. One caveat that I know is most likely controversial is my opinion that the Sheats House will always in my mind be the Sheats House no matter who owns it. Just as Graumann's Chinese Theater is Graumann's Chinese Theater no matter who owns it and sticks an ego tag on it. Or the Cinerama Dome for that matter.

[@SuperJobbel]

Yes the Sheats House is the official name, but many people know it as the Sheats Goldstein House. So therefore I also use that phrase. This video is about the Sheats Apartments.

[@Dutch1954]

@@SuperJobbel Understand, I can respect that.Lived in L.A. all my life, seen my fill of things here disappear, not just architecture,

[@convivator]

Love your videos! Thank you!

[@SuperJobbel]

You're welcome! :)

[@reitsmaassociates]

Great review of an amazing structure! - cheers from Brisbane

[@SuperJobbel]

Thank you! Cheers from Amsterdam, the Netherlands! Great that the internet can connect people from all sides over the world.

[@michalsmalley]

Truly a shame and so sad to see it this run down. But looks like the bones are still good. Maybe someone will rescue it? Truly one of his best.

[@SuperJobbel]

Yes, I think it can still be restored relatively easily, although it will cost a lot of money. Its truly a unique piece for Lautner and indeed one of his better designs.

[@billwrinkle9662]

Definitely one of Lautner's more interesting works. Obviously, Lautner's wooden design design doesn't pair well with the rough-and-tumble world of low-budget college dormitory living, but it's kind of fun seeing that the original intent of the building is still being followed. I'm not sure -- knowing why the building was built -- that I would prefer to see it occupied by 7 yuppie families with their Italian designer furniture. Nonetheless, a bit of a restoration would definitely be a nice thing.

[@SuperJobbel]

Yes, the students have wore out the design completely over the many decades. Maybe 7 yuppy families with design furniture are better for the building. Still, its a beautiful idea that young poor students can live in such a magnificent structure. So I hope it will be renovated and then rented to students who truly appreciate the quality and history of the design. The next video will be about the Turner House in Aspen, Colorado. Also a great design by Lautner. See You!

[@fredericfein8284]

Great video as always 😎

[@SuperJobbel]

Thank you!

[@jppurves7837]

Beautiful design, as usual. It's sad that the building is in such poor condition. Having been rental units for so long it's not surprising and upkeep is probably very costly.

[@SuperJobbel]

I'm afraid it's indeed very costly: over 6 decades the apartments have been wore out by thousands of students who have lived there.

[@jlworrad]

A little renovation and it'll be glorious again.

[@SuperJobbel]

I hope you're right. It has a lot potential.

[@johnreynolds5407]

There is also a postmodern characteristic of the structure.

[@SuperJobbel]

What are the post modernistic characteristics of the structure? Where do you see them? I'm curious.... Thank you for your interesting comment!

[@mysoneffa2417]

Amazing building ;) it looks like you could build 2 new floors a ground level & 1/2 basement at street level & under 1st level apartments, w/ same number of parking stalls at back earthward. Easy excavate under safely as they're on a single pile post.

[@SuperJobbel]

Okay interesting comment! Yes I think that's possible. I don't know how hard the ground underneath is, I think it wan't done because it wasn't possible back in 1949. But it will cost a lot of money: the first priority is to restore the main structure, that's already expensive enough.

[@tranquilitybase7860]

Bedankt voor de video.

[@SuperJobbel]

Graag gedaan :)

[@lisakilmer2667]

Great video. Thanks for making the layouts clear. Your colored maps are helpful, especially for such a complicated building. Since I started watching your videos, I keep wondering how good or bad it was to live in those ultra-modern houses. Some of the Case Study Houses look like they might have been very uncomfortable. Do you have any information about the livability of the designs you show?

[@Krook71]

You can read all about that in the book Lautner A-Z. Jan-Richard Kikkert and Tycho Saariste visited all of Lautners designs and described this like a road movie.

[@SuperJobbel]

Yes, you should read the book ''Lautner A-Z'' to read all about it. I never lived in a Lautner home, so I can't say antyhing about it, but these apartments look very livable to me. I like the trees and greenerey and the many balconies.

[@SuperJobbel]

Yes, the book is very interesting, a must read for every Lautner fan. :)

[@matthiascaplier6384]

I can t wait for your next laudner desig ‘s video. I m watching it for France. I m curious to know the part of your american audience? Are american people interresting in this treasures?

[@SuperJobbel]

Yes, Americans are interested in this designs and architecture, as most viewers are from the United States. I'm from the Netherlands. Next video will be uploaded in 2 weeks and that video will be about the Turner House by Lautner.

[@ForestFelvey]

Great video. But, who painted the beautifully designed building yellow? Yuck.

[@MilesBellas]

Sheats Apartments :1949 . Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum : 1956-1959 . FLW copied Lautner's design !?!!

[@SuperJobbel]

No! that's not what I'm saying! I say that both designs have similarities because Wright and Lautner shared a similar vision on architecture. The cicular shapes and the horizontal base is what both designs share, other than that both design are also very different. Many designs by Lautner and Wright have similarities whether it was first design by Wright and then by Lautenr or the other way around. It interesting to study the conenctions between their work, tha why i mentioned the similartie. The Guggenheim is a masterpiece i n its own right.

[@skybox4765]

Sometimes I wonder what goes through the architect's mind in his creative process. The layout is a little bit messy.

[@SuperJobbel]

Okay, I don't think it's messy at all... It has a very strong geometry.

[@caromikalef4602]

This amazing space should be inhabit by humans that dignify it. It hurts to see it.

[@twistoffate4791]

I agree completely. What I see is disrespect by students who don't treat the spaces properly, and haven't earned the privilege.

[@SuperJobbel]

Yes partying students are not the greatest architecture lovers. They should rent the building to true John Lautner fans.

[@SuperJobbel]

Yes, we deserve to live in those Apartments, we have earned the privilege.

[@cbwilson2398]

University of California at Los Angeles, not University of Los Angeles

[@SuperJobbel]

Okay thanks for your correction.

[@KJSvitko]

New homes need to adjust to the times. Home solar energy and battery storage are now more common. Electric vehicles are becoming more popular every year. Every garage should include a 220 volt outlet and electric vehicle charger. Every new home and business should install a rain water collection and storage system along with solar panels. Even in areas where rain is infrequent it is crazy to waste the little rain that does fall and waste it. We need to stop planting green lawns and switch to local native plantings around homes. It is crazy to plant lawns and build golf courses in dry desert areas. We waste too much water and electricity. the future is electric. Wind and solar energy along with electric vehicles are the future. Stop using fossil fuels. There is a climate crisis.

[@gregpendrey6711]

It's about time folks got serious. We know who's lying and they do too. They are fearful peasants and don't need to be they prefer it.

[@jaunenito]

They trashed it!!

[@SuperJobbel]

Yes it needs a restoration.

[@jaunenito]

@@SuperJobbel Very hard to watch & feel the artistic nature of the video.

[@callmeishmael7452]

No one can explain a building and it’s layout as well as you sir. Your diagrams and how you use them is perfectly scripted.

[@SuperJobbel]

Really thank you for your comment. Your positive reaction stimulates me to make more content. It's always a lot of work to make these videos and each time I think to myself: ''is it worth all the effort?'' but then I read the comments and think ''yes!'' I try to make each video better than the previous one, improving the qualities of the drawings, photos, narration and scripting. Hopefully achieving a proffessional level. The next video will be about the Turner House by Lautner, I've still some 7 videos about Lautner to go: than all the important homes by Lautner are covered in a video, after that I want to cover the houses by Wright, Neutra and Case Study Houses.