Pierre Koenig’s Steel-and-Glass Schwartz House Hits the Market for the First Time at $4.4M

The impressive geometric residence was the last project to be completed during the acclaimed Case Study architect’s lifetime.

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Kathryn M.

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A mesmerizing piece of architectural history is now up for grabs in Santa Monica, California. Perched on the tree-lined Sycamore Road, the 2,380-square-foot structure, known as the Schwartz House, was built in 1994 by late Case Study architect Pierre Koenig. Held aloft by four steel columns, which minimizes the impact on the site, the home represents Koenig’s more mature and expressive work—specifically, his mastery of materials and harmonious relationship with nature.

The multilevel Schwartz House, built in 1994 by late architect Pierre Koenig, sits on a 4,641-square-foot lot filled with native vegetation in Santa Monica.

The Schwartz House was commissioned by Martin Schwartz and his partner, Melrose Cunanan-Schwartz, who first visited Koenig at his home in 1990 to discuss the possibility of the project. The couple, who were looking to be actively involved in the preliminary design, arrived at the meeting with a short list of requirements: They wanted at least a two-bedroom house with good cross ventilation and ample privacy from the street level. According to Pierre Koenig: A View From the Archive by Neil Jackson (Getty Research Institute, 2019), their initial budget, excluding fees and interest, was $250,000.

Supported by four steel pillars, the interior living spaces were rotated 30 degrees to maximize sunlight from southern exposure.

Right away, the couple and Koenig hit it off. "I interviewed many architects for this job, including some names you would recognize," states Martin. "[Koenig] was the only one who ran out to take a look at the site—he was old-school that way. I believe he wanted to confirm that the site had the proper orientation to accommodate passive cooling, or maybe he wanted to see if the design percolating in his head would work. I’m not exactly sure, but his old-fashioned approach impressed us."

The interior presents a stark contrast to its black, steel-framed exterior. Honey-hued hardwoods complement the neutral walls, which welcome a play of speckled light throughout the day.

"Ultimately, the architectural fees were the same so I thought, why not hire ‘the famous guy?’" Martin jokes. Still, it didn’t take long for unforeseen challenges to surface with the project.

"I really had no idea what we were getting into. It cost more, took quite a while longer, and was a far more arduous process than building a conventional home," Martin notes. "But [it was] well worth it in the end. I’m convinced the Schwartz House revived Pierre’s career, coming after a long period of inactivity."

A free-flowing layout merges the primary living spaces, allowing for seamless transition.

The finished project—dubbed "a celebration of structural steel" by The Value of Architecture, where the home is listed—includes a main residence with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms, plus a one-bedroom guesthouse with its own private entrance. An open-plan layout connects the bright and airy kitchen, living, and dining spaces.

"While the exterior design is impressive, I would also emphasize how well the floor plan works," says Martin. "The house feels quite spacious despite the relatively modest square footage built on a rather narrow lot. It’s a very clean, functional floor plan with absolutely no wasted space and lots of generous storage."

The open kitchen comes with new stainless steel appliances, as well as plenty of counter space.

A circular staircase, welded onto one of the four support posts, connects the upper and lower levels. "The bright yellow color was entirely Mel’s idea," notes Martin. "Pierre’s color palette was a rather monochromatic blend of gray, white, and black. Mel pitched the use of ‘safety yellow,’ and it’s since been the subject of many iconic photos by Julius Shulman, Yukio Futagawa, and others." — A circular staircase, welded onto one of the four support posts, connects the upper and lower levels. "The bright yellow color was entirely Mel’s idea," notes Martin. "Pierre’s color palette was a rather monochromatic blend of gray, white, and black. Mel pitched the use of ‘safety yellow,’ and it’s since been the subject of many iconic photos by Julius Shulman, Yukio Futagawa, and others."

In addition to a warm, inviting interior lined with refinished hardwoods and an abundance of natural light, the residence also features floor-to-ceiling glazing and large glass doors that enhance the home’s indoor/outdoor connection, which is further strengthened by a serene oasis in the backyard.

A light-filled bedroom offers access to a terrace overlooking the backyard.

In preparation for listing the Schwartz House for the first time since it was commissioned, the residence recently received a careful renovation to install modern appliances and a new roof, as well as to refinish the floors. Scroll ahead to see more of the home, currently on the market for $4,385,000.