Fitzpatrick-Leland House — MAK Center for Art and Architecture

The Fitzpatrick-Leland House commands a strong presence along the slope of Laurel Canyon and Mulholland Drive, as the three-story terraced scheme captures the eye with its interplay of protruding canopies beneath. Schindler’s subtle composition of interlocking volumes dominates the experience of interior spaces. 

The dramatic L-shaped home was originally commissioned by developer Clifton Fitzpatrick as a speculative house, a real estate promotion to attract buyers to the new housing tracts on the hill. Following numerous changes of proprietors and various modifications Schindler’s architecture would scarcely be recognizable today, had it not been acquired by Russ Leland in 1990 who, working with architect/contractor Jeff Fink, restored the building and recovered much of its original design. Through his efforts, Leland successfully recaptured the spirit of Schindler’s vision. In 2007, he donated the building and property to the MAK Center, insuring its legacy as a historically significant work of architecture.

The home’s light-filled spaces and expansive grounds provide an ideal setting for residency and small-scale programs. From 2008-10 the Fitzpatrick-Leland House served as a base for the MAK Center’s Urban Future Initiative (UFI), a fellowship program in which cultural thinkers from diverse nations entered into dialogue about urban space with Los Angeles scholars and practitioners. Since then, the MAK Center has dedicated the house to small-scale events and the lodging of international cultural researchers visiting Los Angeles for artistic and scholarly pursuits.