Conceived as an experiment in affordable housing, this prototype duplex is one of four residential structures originally constructed in Southern California during the early 1950’s and is one of the first examples utilizing a simple “pre-fab” design of an exposed all steel framework fitted with sturdy modular cement-composition panels.

The “Moduplan Building System” as it was known, was originally developed in 1950 by Eugene Memmler, son of an architect and industrial designer by profession, as a post war solution to the high cost of home construction. His remarkably design, based on a 4x4 grid, was further refined by Santa Monica architect Fredrick Barienbrock. Together, they soon unveiled their first prototype: a premium single-family residence in the hills high above Glendale, California.

Showcased in the April, 1952 issue of Arts & Architecture Magazine, sponsor of the Case Study House program, the very modern residence was partially financed by the Cellotex Corp. (Insulated wall panels) and Union Steel (Framework) and was presented as being practical, cost efficient as well as being “Different”.

Plenty of simple steel casement windows provide ample light and air - and corner positioning gives the house an “International Modern” feel. The exposed steel framework of the exterior was given a subtle metal finish while the cement panels were left natural - a not especially “homey” combination but a more industrial look that was uncommon at the time. Memmler was quoted as saying in an LA Times article dated May 11, 1952 that he estimated his house was so well built, it could survive for “at least 250 years”.

The interior design was also very modern and quite deluxe. It consisted of many built-in pieces, including sofas, desks, tables, bookcases and lighting. As a contrast to the rather stark exterior, the interior was finished in natural birch wood paneling. Sliding walls of glass provided easy access to the patio and pool beyond.

By 1953, the initial flurry of excitement over the house had subsided. Many people had come to have a look and for the most part were very impressed with what they saw. It was at one point, a serious contender for the Case Study House program. Even so, there were no orders forth coming. In spite of this, Memmler & Barienbrock were still confident and decided to wait and see.

In early 1954, a contractor by the name of Robert Lucas, who was doing work for the US Government for the new Marine Corps Base being built near the desert town of Twentynine Palms, Ca. was interested in their building system…and much to their delight, placed an order…. for a private residence for himself …and a duplex to be built on spec as a business venture.

They reasoned that with the coming of the military to 29 Palms, a lot of housing would ultimately be needed to accommodate the wide variety of personnel. A super economical, no - frills version of the house, in the form of a duplex, might be just what the Military needed. The potential would be enormous.

In the spring of 1954, contractor Lucas provided a suitable location, an undeveloped lot on Smoke Tree Ave, just two blocks from downtown 29 Palms. All the component parts for the house and duplex were trucked from Los Angeles and construction began.

The house was to be nearly identical to the Glendale residence while the duplex would be divided into two units with an integrated carport. Square footage was the same - 1728.

The duplex was finished first and was situated on the top of a slight rise and took up most of the lot. Long, lean and painted a dusty rose - it looked most impressive. There was nothing else like it around. An open house was announced in the August 14 edition of “The Desert Trail” newspaper, inviting the general public to come view the fully furnished, “ultra-modern” duplex.

Many people came to look - including the US Military. They were very interested and as expected, and expressed an immediate need for housing for a couple thousand people. The price was right. The big question was -just how fast could these units be built?

Their hopes were now running high.

Unfortunately, the architectural duo soon discovered, for one reason or another, it would be almost impossible to meet the Military’s quantity and time requirements under their present production circumstances. Upon hearing this, the Military opted for concrete “tilt-up” buildings built by a much larger manufacturer. Not as advanced but more readily available. Mr. Lucas finished his house on the edge of 29 Palms. It featured a wall of glass windows that overlook the town and the desert beyond. It became his desert get-away. The Smoke Tree Duplex became a typical civilian rental unit and has provided good service, having been continuously occupied for over 40 years.

At this point, Mr. Memmler and Mr. Barienbrock decided to cease their collaboration and go their separate ways. In 1955, Memmler was contracted to engineer an ultra–customized version of his Moduplan design to be built in Malibu, Ca.- one that cantilevered out over the Pacific Coast Highway. It became known as the “Spencer House”.

Even though the Memmler & Barienbrock design for the pre-fab house attracted a lot of attention, it ultimately did not succeed for a number of reasons, most probably it being more industrial in appearance, maybe a little too “different” than most home buyers had in mind. Given a little more time - and money, they probably could have overcome this. A few years later, other more well known architects including Pierre Koning, Donald Wexler, et al, developed nearly identical pre-fab designs that may have faired a little better - but still were not widely accepted. Ultimately, Mr. Memmler and Mr. Barienbrocks’s contribution to the Southern California modern architectural movement was for the most part, forgotten.

This is often the case with people and things that are ahead of their time.

50 Years Later…

With the continued popularity of all things Mid-Century: cars, furniture, lighting, architecture - the demand has created many stores that sell such items, both vintage and reproductions. One such store, in Los Angeles called “Futurama”, will soon be celebrating its 20th year in business. Its owner, Jeffrey Perry is very much into architectural design and also an avid desert enthusiast. His desert explorations range from Palm Springs, up through Joshua Tree and all the way out to 29 Palms. Finding the town to be a curious mixture of many interesting elements, a rich history, numerous artists, international travelers, a wonderful desert oasis and park, some very colorful people - and some great old buildings.

One day during early-summer of 2007, Jeffrey happened to be driving around an old neighborhood adjacent to the downtown area and noticed a unusual 1950’s looking structure sitting all by it self in very neglected condition. Curious, he stopped to investigate. The front gate was open. There were no inhabitants. Some windows were broken. Others were covered with large pieces of plywood. The front door was unlocked.

He went in.

Inside was very dusty. It appeared someone had started to remodel but then stopped. The more recent kitchen cabinets appeared to be from Home Depot. All the light fixtures were gone. The bathroom sinks and toilets were gone. Most of the oversize ceiling panels were gone. The huge windows were covered up and new little windows put in. It was more than a little bit rough around the edges. But solid.

Something about it was very cool. It was indeed “different”. Jeffrey soon realized why it was different - it was build with a steel skeleton fitted with some kind unusual textured wall panels. “I could see the screws, bolts and welds, he said. I could also see the tracks and grooves were the panels slid in and were attached. The I-beams and corrugated steel roof overhead. The wide overhangs. The large corner windows. Under the many layers of paint looked like what could be teak wood paneling”.

He got excited. Who could have built this place? Why? And here? What was its story? It sure had great proportions and was almost like a little Greek temple sitting there. It was far too sophisticated to have been built by just anybody. Jeffrey came back later with a friend who studied art in Germany who remarked the windows and their placement reminded him of his days living in a Bauhaus-designed dormitory.

Most definitely architect designed. But which one? Could it have been Neutra - who had vacationed at the 29 Palms Inn from time to time?

As he was leaving the duplex, he could almost hear it say “Save Me”!

And his search began…

Back in Los Angeles, Jeffrey spent hours online and looked in all his architectural books. He found many similar designs by Schindler and especially Neutra. Neutra had actually done some modernist prefab designs for various companies including the Cellotex Corp. during the war. But nothing that was identical. After exhausting his supply of research materials Jeffrey happened to look through a book, “All American Ads From The 50’s” published by Taschen – and - found it! On page 822 was an ad for the Cellotex Corp. announcing a very “different” type of house. There it was - the duplex design configured as a single family house designed by Memmler & Barienbrock. Unfortunately not a Neutra, but just as cool. Further research lead to USC that provided an article in Arts & Architecture Magazine. And later at LACC, an article from the LA Times.

Now, with all this information, Jeffrey absolutely had to find out who owned it and try and buy it. After doing some detective work around town, ownership was traced to a local bookkeeper who expressed some interest in selling it. She had owned it for over 10 years while it sat vacant and had from time to time attempted to remodel it but due to a lack of funds never was able to complete the project. The seller’s plans were to “Texturecoat” it if not sold.

Negotiations continued for about a month and after a mutually agreeable price was reached, she finally agreed to sell - and into escrow it went.

Now feeling triumphant, Jeffrey soon realized he still needed to get the money together - both to buy and restore it. Not that it was a lot of money - it was just more than he had sitting around. There was the possibility of a construction-rehab loan, but at 20% interest, it was a real turn-off. Jeffrey began talking to others he knew for advice about the duplex and before he knew it he had created a mini “firestorm”. Everybody got excited that he was able to find such a cool and unusual property for so little money. Almost immediately he received offers to take it off his hands - and double the money at the same time - before he even got the deed to it!

The excitement peaked when a major celerity client came into the store and offered Jeffrey cash-in-hand and began to empty his briefcase on the sofa. Not one to act in haste, Jeffrey told him it was very tempting - but he’d have to think about it. A friend later pointed out that this was probably a once in a lifetime opportunity to own such a unusual place - and perhaps Jeffrey’s greatest find - so don’t let it go for a quick profit - but instead take advantage of the interesting possibilities it presented.

At this point, this unique and forgotten piece of California Architectural History had reached a critical point in time - it was literally at the crossroads - would Jeffrey get the necessary funds together so it would be rescued and restored - sell it off to someone else – or even worse, do nothing and let it be altered beyond recognition.

To be Continued…