Chemosphere – Malin House

John Lautner was a brilliant individual. If you care anything about architecture or the man who was responsible for some of the most spectacular functional works of art — a man ridiculed by the architectural society in his time (as many of the world’s most influential thinkers). you might take an interest in this mind-​blowing structure.
And then, slowly, travel to each one of the few others in SoCal constructed by John Lautner and Frank Lloyd Wright.
I’ve been to the Chemosphere twice — the first time around sunset. The drive up Mulholland is beautiful as it is, and even if you’re indifferent to the kind of genius required to plan and construct structures much like this one, you’ll at least enjoy that. Especially if you manage to make it up just before sunset.
On my second trip there, I ended up having to stop at the fire station due to my bladder protesting after a time consuming drive up from San Diego (thanks to L.A. traffic)… and one of the firefighters informed me that Tom Cruise lived somewhere by the Chemosphere. I was apathetic to that bit of information, but I figured some of you might care.
I do wish the owner would allow people entry just for one day… I think I’d find a way to go regardless of where in the world I might be.
FUN FACTS (courtesy of Wikipedia):
* The Chemosphere was included in a list of all time top 10 houses in Los Angeles in a Los Angeles Times survey of experts in December 2008.
* The building was first used in a dramatic film as a futuristic residence in the 1964 ABC-​TV program «The Outer Limits: The Duplicate Man.»
* It was also used in the film Body Double.
* A set for a scene in Charlie’s Angels was inspired directly by the Chemosphere.
* A similar building also appears in the video game «Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas» near the «VINEWOOD» sign.
* In an episode of The Simpsons, character Troy McClure resides in a similar flying saucer-​shaped home. Hosts on Current TV appear in a set which is an exact replica of the interior of The Chemosphere.
* In the animated series The Jetsons that first aired two years after the construction of Chemosphere, all buildings are round shaped and supported by poles.