Wright Chat

Did any of you see the television premier of 24? Much of it was filmed inside a structure with some strong Usonian influence

I watched my first episode of "24" tonight. Much of it took place in this strongly Usonian home. In the context of the show, the house is located in California. They said this in the dialogue.

Because of the amount of room needed to photograph a scene, and the limited amount of space in most of the Usonian houses, in all probability it was a set on a studio stage. Many set decorators use images taken from architecture to design their sets. One wall of the nightmarish house on "Big Brother" last season was decorated with a grille based on one designed by John DeKoven Hill for a house he built in Cincinnati in the 50s. I remember an awards show in the 70s that used a geometric pattern from a Lloyd Wright gate!

It did not appear to be a soundstage, but I doubt it was pure Usonian, as far as size. It did have a number of Wright influences, including the fireplace and mantle (A single, concrete shelf inserted into the brick). But it also had a number of elements suggesting work by an admirer or apprentice (for instance, a regular vertical seam in the brickwork at periodic points). It was, however, an interesting structure. I'm assuming that the exterior shots with the water elements were of the same structure, since the brick pattern continued. Did others get that same impression?

I did a quick Google search concerning this California residence of the President in "24". Probably, the many who obsess over the shows's many convoluted details know more about where it is filmed.



I did find a discussion that called the place "Camp Frank Lloyd Wright".

A few minutes ago, I read an article in a magazine about set designer Joseph Hodges, who works on "24". The house is nothing but sets. He designed it with "swanky 1950's Southern California" interiors in mind.[/url]

This seasons premier of Alias with Jennifer Garner was filmed at the Benson House in Malibu, designed by Wes Peters. For whatever that is worth....

Guestnow--Thanks for the information. But I'm puzzled that the set designer saw that as swanky 50's interior. When I think swanky 50's I think more of the Matt Helm films (or were those early 60's?). Those lines seemed a bit clean to be "swanky."