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Monday, July 23, 2012

Kemper Nomland, Jr.

Kemper Nomland, Jr.
Kemper Nomland, Jr. (1919-2009) was an modernist architect, painter, and printer of books of poetry from Los Angeles, California. He received his bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Southern California in 1941 and went to work for Albert C. Martin before forming a father-and-son architecture team with Kemper Nomland, Sr.

Together they designed Case Study House #10 at 711 San Rafael in Pasadena, California, as part of the Case Study House Program sponsored by Arts & Architecture magazine. This program was a forum for experimentation in low-cost modern housing for middle-class families and involved other major architects, such as Richard Neutra, Ralph Rapson, Pierre Koenig, A. Quincy Jones, Raphael Soriano and Craig Ellwood. Case Study House #10 exemplified many of the goals of the program, including the use of low-cost materials and a modern aesthetic. The home was built on a slope, and the home's roofline mirrored its environment. Large walls of glass and a floor heating system were features of the interior. Large openings to the outside allowed for a melding of the indoors and outdoors.

Nomland was a conscientious objector during World War II and was confined to Civilian Public Service Camp #21 near Cascade Locks, Oregon, where he did forest maintenance work, as well as CPS Camp #56, Camp Angel, near Waldport, Oregon, where he did printing work and became friends with a group of poets and artists. He designed the chapel at CPS Camp #21, and seven of his paintings done while there (or influenced by his experience there) are held by Lewis and Clark College. He illustrated a book of poems entitled War Elegies by William Everson, whom he met while at the CPS camps.
Nomland designed several commercial properties and approximately a dozen residences. One of his best known designs was the Albers Residence, which was built in 1955. He designed the 18-unit garden apartment complex known as the Apex Apartment building and a duplex for builder Bill Jadiker, whom he met at Camp Angel. He also designed a home for actress Jane Russell.
From housing.com and  latimes.com
Case Study House #10
la.curbed.com
Case Study House
hausangeles.com
Case Study House guest house
hausangeles.com
Albers Residence
la.curbed.com
Albers Residence
takesunset.com
Albers Residene
trulia.com
Apex Apartments
flickriver.com - Michael Locke
Jadiker Duplex
thesilverlakenews.com

10 comments:

  1. I love Mid Century Architecture as you know but what I like most of all about this house is that it is a home, beautifully designed but a home.
    I have had this book on my wishlist for some times, Case Study House #10. Is this home featured in it?
    Thanks for sharing, Pippa :)

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    1. Which book is on your wish list? The one by Elizabeth Smith or the one by Esther McCoy? Two by Smith and one by McCoy are on my wish list, and I assume all the houses are featured in all the books. If you buy yours first, let me know.

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  2. I have the large book by Smith and one of my favorites with nice pictures and text.

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    1. I want the large and the small Smith, which I've found for about $44 and $10 respectively. What's with the jumbo Smith that I saw on Amazon for $1,250? The dimensions listed are actually slightly smaller than the one selling for $44, and they're both put out by Taschen.

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  3. A book tip buried in the comments? Yay! I went and checked, yes there are some of the Smith books listed at super high prices. Hmmm.

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    1. I love books...but I'm not sure I love them $1250 worth!

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  4. I paid about 45 dollars at Barnes and Noble for the large book. Nice large color and black and white pictures, plans you can read, sketches and modern furniture you would die for. Architectural Pottery everywhere! You need this book!

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    1. Yes, I found it on Amazon for about that. I'm sure that's where I'll get it.

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  5. Thank you, Dana, for including a post on my Dad as part of your blog! By the way, Dad's case study house, which was originally occupied by my grandparents, has just been purchased. Thankfully, I hear that the new owners have a deep appreciation for the mid-century modern aesthetic.

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    1. Erika, it was truly my pleasure. Your father was an immensely talented man who lived a fascinating life. I'd love to know more about him, so if you ever want to send me more information or photos, I'd be thrilled to do a follow-up.

      I knew the house had been for sale. I'm delighted that the new owners will appreciate it and maintain its integrity.

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