Architect Spotlight: Rex Lotery

Expansive windows offer views of the lush natural surroundings .

In the lexicon of Modernist architecture, Rex Lotery stands out as a mastermind of his time. Skilled at combining urban design and planning with architecture, Lotery’s work encompassed civic projects like the Wilshire Center Master Plan in Los Angeles and high-profile residential projects such as Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s home in the Trousdale Estates. This epic innovator has not only been a significant contributor to the architecture world, but he has a direct connection to the Santa Barbara area. Let’s explore the Modernist mark Rex Lotery left on Santa Barbara.

Form and Function

One of the primary principles of Modernist architecture is that form should follow function. In this way, ornamentation is rejected and minimalism is celebrated. Lotery embraced this ideology in the designs of all his projects, including the Florence House in Beverly Hills.

He was known for his unique solutions to the architectural challenge of building hillside homes - a challenge that was particularly prolific in exclusive neighborhoods like the hills of Hollywood.

Clean lines and artful steel framing create depth and movement.

Playful touches help to blend nature and architecture seamlessly.

Achievements and Accolades

Largely considered ahead of his time by colleagues, Lotery’s legacy includes his passion for the preservation of the environment and his concern for the social and economic well-being of the communities he worked in. Throughout his extensive architectural career, he was recognized on several occasions for his environmentally conscious and socio-politically focused design and planning. 

For several years, Lotery served as the President of Urban Innovations Group at UCLA where he mentored up-and-coming architects. He was also President of the Southern California Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Lotery was awarded the FAIA award, which serves as The American Institute of Architect’s highest membership honor for an architect’s contribution to the field of architecture and society at large. Only 3% of all AIA members have the distinction of this prestigious award. Lotery was also added to the list of Master Architects of Beverly Hills, which serves as one of the foremost criteria for significant architectural buildings to receive special historic preservation ordinances.

Indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces abound in this Modernist masterpiece.

The Santa Barbara Connection

In the mid-90s, Rex relocated his primary residence to a private enclave between Santa Barbara and Montecito. As an architect, he designed the entire home himself, using all the creative and innovative ideas he usually employed in his work. The 4,833-square-foot home won an AIA Award, and is timeless and modern more than two decades later - a true marker of the significance of Lotery’s work.

Rex’s serene and intimate private property in Santa Barbara.

With open floor plans and an abundance of windows, the property offers impeccable and unobstructed views of the surrounding mountains and hills.

Rex Lotery lived in his Santa Barbara home for the last 11 years of his life, and the archive of his life’s work can be found in UC Santa Barbara’s Architecture Design Collection.

I am proud to be offering this architectural masterpiece at 920 Camino Viejo Rd.