March 16--Some of the world's most influential architects have designed homes for Pasadena residents. Charles and Henry Greene created the Gamble House for David and Mary Gamble in 1908, and Frank Lloyd Wright designed his first textile concrete block house, La Miniatura, for Alice Willard in 1923.
But what did Pasadena-based architects design for themselves?
See for yourself as the nonprofit historical preservation group Pasadena Heritage presents the spring home tour "Designing Their Own: Homes of Pasadena Architects" on Sunday.
The tour features a wide variety of architectural styles, including the 1977 "Rapor" House, designed by and for the late Conrad Buff III; the recently restored 1966 post-and-beam home of Dennis Smith; and the home of Elmer Grey, who with Myron Hunt designed the English Tudor-style Gartz Court and the Spanish Colonial Revival Pasadena Playhouse. The tour also includes the 1911 Craftsman home of architect J. Constantine Hillman and the 1926 French Normandy-style residence of architect Everett Phipps Babcock, known locally as the "fairy tale castle."
Participants will drive themselves to the houses, where docents will provide guided tours. Homes will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, rain or shine. Advance tickets are $40, $35 for members. Tickets on the day of the tour are $45.
Also on the agenda: Smith will guide hard-hat tours at 11 a.m. and noon of a house that Buff designed in 1955 and is currently under construction. $20. Note that some of the residences may not be handicap accessible. For more information, call (626) 441-6333 or go to www.pasadenaheritage.org.
home@latimes.com
