Perched atop the Hollywood Hills with an iconic glass-and-steel structure that floats above the city of Los Angeles, Case Study House No. 22 — also known as the Stahl House — is one of the most photographed and celebrated homes in architectural history. But how might it look and function today?Let’s take a deep dive into the original vision and explore how it could be reimagined for a 21st-century context. A Glimpse into the Past: The Birth of Case Study House No. 22 Conceived as part of the visionary Case Study House Program (1945–1966), led by Arts & Architecture magazine editor John Entenza, Case Study House No. 22 was designed by architect Pierre Koenig in 1959 and completed in 1960. The program’s goal was to showcase affordable, modern, and replicable housing solutions for the post-WWII American family. House No. 22 became iconic not just for its innovative use of steel and glass, but also for the way it framed Los Angeles itself — the city as a view, a living artwork. The house featured: Photographed famously by Julius Shulman, the home projected a lifestyle of openness, modernity, and optimism — an idealized snapshot of mid-century California living. Why Reimagine an Icon? While Case Study House No. 22 is considered architectural perfection by many, the realities of our time demand new thinking. Today’s pressing issues — climate change, material consciousness, technology integration, and changing social dynamics — challenge architects to respect history while adapting to future needs. Reimagining this house isn’t …
Case Study House No. 22 Reimagined

Perched atop the Hollywood Hills with an iconic glass-and-steel structure that floats above the city of Los Angeles, Case Study House No. 22 — also known as the Stahl House — is one of the most photographed and celebrated homes in architectural history. But how might it look and function today?
Let’s take a deep dive into the original vision and explore how it could be reimagined for a 21st-century context.
A Glimpse into the Past: The Birth of Case Study House No. 22
Conceived as part of the visionary Case Study House Program (1945–1966), led by Arts & Architecture magazine editor John Entenza, Case Study House No. 22 was designed by architect Pierre Koenig in 1959 and completed in 1960. The program’s goal was to showcase affordable, modern, and replicable housing solutions for the post-WWII American family.
House No. 22 became iconic not just for its innovative use of steel and glass, but also for the way it framed Los Angeles itself — the city as a view, a living artwork. The house featured:
- Cantilevered overhangs
- Floor-to-ceiling glass walls
- Minimalist interiors
- Structural steel framing
Photographed famously by Julius Shulman, the home projected a lifestyle of openness, modernity, and optimism — an idealized snapshot of mid-century California living.
Why Reimagine an Icon?
While Case Study House No. 22 is considered architectural perfection by many, the realities of our time demand new thinking. Today’s pressing issues — climate change, material consciousness, technology integration, and changing social dynamics — challenge architects to respect history while adapting to future needs.
Reimagining this house isn’t about correcting a flaw. It’s about evolving a masterpiece, layering contemporary needs atop an architectural canvas of modernist purity.
The Vision: Reimagining Case Study House No. 22 Today
1. Sustainability at the Forefront
Reimagining Case Study House No. 22 in 2025 demands a deep commitment to sustainability — not just as an architectural feature, but as a core design philosophy. While Pierre Koenig’s original vision embraced industrial efficiency through steel and glass, the reimagined version prioritizes environmental resilience, renewable materials, and energy self-sufficiency — all while preserving the house’s modernist spirit.
- Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT): A renewable alternative to steel with aesthetic warmth.
- Low-emissivity (Low-E) glass: Maintains the open transparency while improving thermal efficiency.
- Photovoltaic roofing or solar-integrated glazing systems to achieve net-zero energy goals.
A passive solar design strategy would optimize sunlight in winter and minimize heat gain in summer, reducing energy consumption without sacrificing aesthetics.
2. Smart and Adaptive Technology
Where the original structure celebrated simplicity, today’s reimagining would celebrate invisible intelligence. Smart systems could regulate lighting, ventilation, and temperature while responding to the inhabitants’ behavior patterns.
Key integrations might include:
- Smart glass that tints automatically based on sun exposure
- IoT-integrated appliances for energy tracking
- Rainwater harvesting systems
- Automated shading panels embedded in the roof or terrace edge
This wouldn’t clutter the minimalist vision — it would enhance it quietly, in the spirit of user-centered design.
3. Social Evolution and Spatial Inclusivity
In Koenig’s era, homes were often designed around a nuclear family model. Today’s diversity in living arrangements calls for greater flexibility. A reimagined Case Study House No. 22 might include:
- Multi-purpose rooms with sliding partitions or modular furniture
- Home office nooks, considering the rise of hybrid work
- Barrier-free access, prioritizing inclusivity and universal design
- A green roof or terrace garden, adding a biophilic connection
Rather than rigid zones, the house becomes a responsive environment, reflecting how we live now — fluidly, digitally, and communally.
4. Reframing the View: Environmental and Cultural Context
The original house’s main theatrical feature was its view — a panoramic window into LA’s sprawling skyline. In the reimagined version, we ask: how can the view be more than a backdrop?
This house might re-orient slightly to frame natural elements — the sun path, native vegetation, or even the stars at night. The use of shou sugi ban cladding, rammed earth detailing, or living walls could bring a tactile relationship with the site, making the house not just a perch on nature, but an extension of it.
Dialogue with the Original: Balancing Legacy and Innovation
Reimagining doesn’t mean replacing. It’s about entering a respectful dialogue with the original structure and its philosophies. We retain:
- The rectilinear purity
- The open-plan layout
- The emphasis on transparency and light
But we reinterpret them through today’s lens: ecological intelligence, digital augmentation, and cultural empathy.
Think of it as a remix — honoring the melody, but adapting the rhythm.
A Blueprint for the Future
In many ways, Case Study House No. 22 was the future in 1960. But in our time, the future is not just about aesthetic innovation — it’s about ethical architecture. It’s about making homes that are not only visually striking, but resilient, responsive, and responsible.
The reimagined House No. 22 might not be a singular structure perched above a city — it might be a prototype for modular housing, a community living model, or an AR-driven virtual design experience. Its DNA is modernist, but its expression is fluid.
Conclusion: Living in the Question
As we reimagine Case Study House No. 22, we don’t close the book on modernism — we extend its relevance. Architecture, after all, is a living conversation between time, people, and place.
By updating its materials, function, and context, we’re not erasing history. We’re asking: What does modern mean today?
And in doing so, we’re honoring Pierre Koenig’s radical spirit — one rooted in innovation, experimentation, and above all, vision.