Two Cal Poly Pomona professors are teaching students how to develop a “Multiple Property Submission” for ten Lautner homes, for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.

Professors Lauren Weiss Bricker and Luis Hoyos offered a two-quarter course studying Lautner architecture, including visits to the Getty Special Collections to view plans and photographs, visits to individual Lautner homes, and instruction in the development of applications to the National Register. The work ranged from research of the historical and architectural context to the study of individual details in a home.

The winter quarter class just ended with a review of the students’ work at Hoyos’s home (the home includes an addition and some remodeling designed by Lautner).  At this review the students offered short presentations on the historical context, then went into greater detail on five homes: Lautner (L.A.), Pearlman, Tyler, Harpel (Hollywood), and Walstrom. The event concluded with discussion about the application and a tour of Hoyos’ home.

There are many advantages to owners of homes on the National Register, and no real restrictions. Owners can modify or even demolish National Register homes (although by doing so they may lose their NR status, of course). They can receive tax advantages and the registration can help with inclusion of the home on a local cultural monuments list, which may provide additional protections and incentives as well. For more information on the value of National Register status, download this helpful guide, developed by Christine Madrid French of the National Trust.