Houses We Love: The Ennis House

The Ennis House is one of Los Angeles’ most striking architectural landmarks. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1923 and completed in 1924, the home is a unique example of his experimentation with form, material, and symbolism. Today, the Ennis House is admired not only as a piece of architectural history but also as a star in Hollywood cinema.

Design and Construction

Commissioned by Charles and Mabel Ennis, the house was intended to reflect grandeur and modern innovation. Wright chose to build the home with over 27,000 patterned concrete blocks. These blocks, inspired by ancient Mayan temples, give the house its distinctive look. Each block was made on-site from decomposed granite and cement, creating a surface that blends with the hillside above Los Feliz.

The use of concrete blocks was part of Wright’s “textile block” system, which he hoped could become an affordable, modular way of building. For the Ennis House, however, the system proved both challenging and costly. The blocks were prone to cracking, and decades of weathering and earthquakes later caused serious structural problems. Despite these difficulties.

The Mayan Revival Style

The Ennis House is often described as the most iconic example of Mayan Revival architecture. The intricate geometric patterns etched into the concrete blocks recall the stone carvings of ancient temples. Wright believed architecture should reflect the spirit of its time while connecting to timeless forms, and the Ennis House demonstrates this philosophy. The building’s stepped forms, massive scale, and dramatic presence make it appear both modern and ancient.

Hollywood’s Favorite Backdrop

The Ennis House has played a starring role in Hollywood for decades. Its bold design and otherworldly feel make it a popular filming location, especially for science fiction and noir films. The most famous example is Blade Runner (1982), where the house served as Rick Deckard’s apartment. Its dark, textured interiors were the perfect setting for the film’s dystopian atmosphere.

Other productions have also used the house, including House on Haunted Hill (1959), The Day of the Locust (1975), and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The house’s striking design allows it to shift seamlessly between futuristic, historic, and gothic settings.