Some of the Los Angeles Case Study Houses have been mentioned in The Modern House blog before, and this small but dense guide is a great introduction to many of the others. Published by Taschen, the book features all of the houses included in its original large version, with more than 150 photos, sketches, drafts and plans and a map of where all of the houses are (or were) located.

The Case Study Houses were masterminded between 1945 and 1966 by John Entenza, the editor of the American magazine Arts & Architecture. The programme concentrated on the Los Angeles area and oversaw the design of 36 prototype homes, which were intended to make available plans for modern residences that could be easily and cheaply constructed during the post-war building boom. Entenza, a champion of Modernism, used his architectural knowledge and network to recruit well-known and talented architects including Richard Neutra, Pierre Koenig, Charles and Ray Eames, and Eero Saarinen. The houses came to define an era of architecture for LA and have had a prolonged influence on design all over the world.

For more information, visit: Taschen Books