Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

An Acclaimed Architect’s Former Home-in All Its 1980s

An Acclaimed Architect’s Former Home-in All Its 1980s

Built into a steep and forested hillside, the striking residence designed by Harold J. Bissner Jr. features dramatic cathedral ceilings and a Japanese-inspired penthouse sunroom.

In 1981, the acclaimed architect Harold J. Bissner Jr. designed and built his personal dwelling in South Pasadena, California. The site was particularly meaningful to Bissner Jr., who was born in the area in 1925. The distinguished Bissner House served as the late architect’s home for the last nearly four decades of his life. Now, the five-level residence-which is located less than 10 miles from downtown Los Angeles-is on the market.



The main entrance to the Bissner House is accessed via a short, descending stairwell that is positioned next to the two-car garage.

To accommodate the sheer slope of the lot, Bissner Jr. designed the residence to rest upon 23 wood piers, which allowed the hillside to remain largely untouched during the construction. The 1981 home features a bold exterior with shed-style roofs, diagonal redwood siding, pipe chimneys, and angular glass windows. Its monochromatic and earth-toned facade evokes the popular modernist palette.



The bright entryway features stained glass by Judson Studios and Saltillo tile floors.



In the primary living areas, dramatic floor-to-ceiling glazing frames picturesque views .

Inside the 3,870-square-foot residence, an open floor plan features an abundance of original architectural details, including cathedral ceilings and Saltillo tile floors. A floating staircase connects four of the home’s levels, while vintage light fixtures are peppered throughout the living spaces, which adds to the home’s time-capsule allure.



An open layout connects the dining room and kitchen with the other primary living spaces.

The Bissner House offers four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and several decks that allow for a seamless indoor/outdoor flow. While Bissner Jr. lived in the home, he executed two additional renovations. The architect added his own office space, as well as a Japanese-inspired penthouse sunroom with a covered deck, wood latticework, and kawara–style roof tiles.



Smoked mirrors wrap the dining room walls just below the ceiling. On one side of the space, the original built-in shelving offers additional storage.

Bissner Jr. (who spent years as an apprentice to his eponymous architect father) opened his own firm in 1951 and practiced until approximately 2010. His most notable residential projects include the 1970 Volcano House in Newberry Springs, California, as well as the 1954 Sechler House and 1966 Casa Azulejo House-both of which are sited nearby in Pasadena. Scroll ahead to see more of Bissner Jr.’s impressive former residence, which is currently listed for $1,935,000.



Upgraded appliances in the kitchen contrast with the original cabinetry.



In the kitchen, large windows above the tiled countertops offer spectacular views of the surrounding scenery. An informal breakfast nook is located in the corner.



A light-filled mezzanine with brass-rail accents sits above the primary living spaces.



The spacious principal suite includes a fireplace and lounge area.



The principal bathroom boasts colorful artisan tiles and a bright-blue vintage tub.



Bissner Jr.’s design for the penthouse solarium was inspired by his recurring trips to Japan. While most of his visits were for work purposes, one took place for his own wedding-the architect married his longtime partner, Lela Owen, in Tokyo in 1979.



The Japanese-inspired solarium on the upper level also includes a carpeted sunroom.



One of the Bissner House’s four bedrooms features a connected bathroom.



Bissner Jr. designed and built his own architectural office in the South Pasadena home.



The rear exterior of the Bissner House incorporates diagonal redwood siding, angular windows, pipe chimneys, and a shed-style roof.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Justice Department Reduces American Bar Association's Role in Judicial Nominations
U.S. Department of Energy Unveils 'Doudna' Supercomputer to Advance AI Research
U.S. SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Amid Regulatory Shift
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
×