A rare mid-century home in Pasadena, California, designed by famed architect John Lautner, has been listed for $2.595 million. The Dahlstrom House, located at 780 Laguna Road in the San Rafael neighborhood, represents an early work by Lautner, who became known for his more dramatic, gravity-defying designs in later years.
Commissioned by book designer Grant Dahlstrom, the 1949 home spans approximately 1,900 square feet with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Situated on a triangular lot, the property features Lautner's signature geometric style, characterized by rounded elements and a seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces. The house showcases a projecting semi-circular steel overhang that forms a carport, leading visitors through a wood-paneled foyer and a curving hallway.
The living area is anchored by a cylindrical concrete fireplace and includes built-in bench seating and a revolving bookcase. Large glass walls blur the lines between the interior and the surrounding garden, making the landscape feel like an extension of the living space. The primary bedroom also features a curved sliding wall that opens directly into the living room, further enhancing the home's fluid design.
Lautner's apprenticeship under Frank Lloyd Wright is evident in the home's details, particularly in the cantilevered roof and rounded carport overhang, reflecting influences of the Prairie School.
Despite its compact size, the Dahlstrom House retains many of its original features. The current seller, who purchased the home in 2009 for $1.35 million, undertook a restoration that refinished surfaces with materials appropriate to the home's architectural heritage. Listing agent Rob Moore of Compass described the home as "quiet" and "beautifully crafted."
