Ilana Gafni

Agent

In 1994, after several years of exploring Los Angeles’ mid-century modern furniture stores on Beverly and La Brea, and hearing names such as Richard Neutra, RM Schindler and Gregory Ain, I had my first encounter with great architecture: It was the Lovell Health House by Richard Neutra and my life would never be the same.

I began driving around town with the bible for architecture aficionados: Los Angeles, An Architectural Guide. The houses I discovered were like pieces of art, peering out from behind walls and trees; some were well cared for and some in desperate need of restoration.

How could I not know about these incredible buildings previously? In 1999, while searching for a property to buy, I met Crosby Doe, the architectural real estate expert. I fumbled past two Schindler houses on my way to buying and restoring a unit at the Avenel Housing by Gregory Ain.

My fascination with Schindler’s complex designs continued through my association and docent work at the MAK Center at the Schindler House on Kings Road. As part of the MAK center tours, I have visited dozens of great homes by Schindler, Richard Neutra, John Lautner, Gergory Ain, Harwell Harris, Irving Gill and William Kessling, to name a few.

I joined the office of Crosby Doe Associates as a natural progression to my sales background and love of great architecture.

Like so many others who appreciate great architecture, I feel that these houses are not merely buildings, they are like family. It is unforgivably when one of them is torn down or “remodeled” so extensively that the original design is lost. My mission is to attempt to preserve great architecture as a Crosby Doe real estate agent, and to educate homeowners and buyers in need of guidance with the process.