Buff & Hensman

Buff & Hensman; Buff, Straub & Hensman; and Buff, Smith & Hensman created hundreds of contemporary homes during the postwar housing boom in Southern California. But it was Case Study House #20(B), designed in 1958 for Saul and Ruth Bass, that cemented their legacy in the celebrated Case Study Program and Los Angeles’ Modernism movement. All were graduate from the USC School of Architecture.

Dennis Smith, A.I.A. is also a graduate if the USC School of Architecture. (1960) Dennis had worked for BUFF & HENSMAN and other Southern California firms after graduation, but eventually returned as an associate in 1974, a partner in 1988 and became president upon Don Hensman’s retirement in 1997. Much of his later projects were to update previous projects such as updating kitchens and bath rooms or adding a bedroom to a previously unused basement area of the Hamlin House in San Marino.

From the 1950’s through mid-1970’s they had a very stylized post and beam aesthetic. After about 1975 their work became more of a clean line minimal style. When asked Dennis Smith said they changed with the times and what their clients were seeking.  Compare the Norton House (1954) to the Hamlin House (1983)