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{{Short description|House in Malibu, California designed by Harry Gesner}}
'''Wave House''' was designed by architect [[Harry Gesner]] for old friends and fellow surfers Gerry and Glenn Cooper. Located on the beach in [[Malibu, California]], the house is Gesner's most famous work. The design was highly regarded by [[Jørn Utzon]], architect of the [[Sydney Opera House]]. Though denied by Gesner, the house is often cited as an influence on Utzon's design for the opera house.

==History==
In 1956 Gesner was contacted by friends from his post-war time at [[Lake Arrowhead Reservoir|Lake Arrowhead]], Glenn and Gerry Cooper. The couple asked for his assistance in finding a coastal site in Malibu. They found a site with good surfing, and Gesner camped at the location.

According to Gesner, he paddled offshore on his surfboard and sketched the house's design in grease pencil on his surfboard, looking back at the site. Gesner wanted a shape like those found in the ocean, and used curved [[glue-laminated beam]]s for the roof structure, with a shingled roof surface resembling fish scales.<ref name="sisson2016">{{cite web |last1=Sisson |first1=Patrick | title=Harry Gesner – The Sandcastle House & Wave House |url=https://archive.curbed.com/2016/2/12/11029318/harry-gesner-architect-wave-house-sandcastle-house |website=Curbed |access-date=17 July 2022 |date=February 12, 2016}}</ref><ref name="trd">{{cite news |title=Iconic Los Angeles-area architect Herry Gesner dies at 97 |url=https://therealdeal.com/la/2022/06/19/iconic-los-angeles-area-architect-herry-gesner-dies-at-97/ |access-date=12 July 2022 |publisher=The Real Deal}}</ref>

The Wave House was designed in two parts, with the dramatic projecting beachfront living area surrounded by circular balconies, and a much plainer rectangular children's wing to the rear, against the hillside. The two sections enclose a landscaped interior court. Arrival was via a stairway and an underpass under the children's section to the courtyard, which serve as the formal entry.<ref name=Germany646668>Germany, pp. 64, 66, 68</ref> Gesner designed the house to extend into the surf at high tide.<ref name=Germany5152>Germany, pp. 51-52</ref> It was designed with projecting rooflines resembling breaking waves, cantilevered over the circular balconies. The interior focused on a central [[conversation pit]] and fireplace overlooking the ocean.<ref name=Germany6465>Germany, pp. 64-65</ref>

Wave House was later owned in the 1970s by [[Rod Stewart]], who commissioned Gesner to design railings for the initially rail-less balconies.<ref name=Germany73>Germany, p. 73</ref> The house was further altered with the installation of large concrete piers to support it, since the retreat of the beachfront left it more exposed to ocean waves.<ref name=Germany61>Germany, p. 61</ref>

Stewart sold the house in 1987 to [[Warner Bros.]] executive [[Mo Ostin]].<ref name="latimes.com">Jack Flemming (1 June 2023), [https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-06-01/the-wave-house-harry-gesners-malibu-masterpiece-lists-for-49-5-million The ‘Wave House,’ Harry Gesner’s Malibu masterpiece, lists for $49.5 million] ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''.</ref> Ostin swapped the pebble roof for copper shingles, which have since taken on a natural patina that matches the coastal color palette.<ref name="latimes.com"/> After Ostin's death in 2022, his family listed the house for $49.5 million.<ref name="latimes.com"/> The property was purchased by [[Joshua Kushner]] and [[Karlie Kloss]] for $29.5&nbsp;million in August 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clarke |first=Katherine |date=August 26, 2024 |title=Joshua Kushner and Karlie Kloss Pay $29.5 Million for Malibu's Iconic Wave House |url=https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/luxury-homes/joshua-kushner-karlie-kloss-wave-house-malibu-e760c07f |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

Gesner's residence, the Sandcastle House, is next door.<ref name="mandell2019">{{cite web |last1=Mandell |first1=Lisa Johnson |title=The Famous Malibu Wave House That Stars in the Film "Yesterday" |url=https://athomeinhollywood.com/2019/07/07/malibu-wave-house-yesterday/ |website=At Home in Hollywood |date=July 17, 2019}}</ref>

==Recognition==
The Wave House has received widespread attention. When Danish architect [[Jørn Utzon]] submitted his concept for the [[Sydney Opera House]] design competition, with sail or wave-like forms, his design was compared to Gesner's, and in the early 1960s Utzon called Gesner to express his appreciation for Gesner's work. Neither architect felt that the Opera House design was influenced by Wave House, but both acknowledged each other's work.<ref name=Germany7071>Germany, pp. 70-71</ref>

The house was featured in the 2019 movie ''[[Yesterday (2019 film)|Yesterday]].''<ref name="mandell2019"/>

==References==
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{{Coord|34|02|31.58|N|118|54|27.08|W|type:landmark_region:US|display=title}}

[[Category:Harry Gesner buildings]]
[[Category:Houses in Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:Malibu, California]]
[[Category:Houses completed in 1956]]