For the stars of Hollywood’s golden age, the curation of a glamorous off-screen image was as carefully controlled as the lighting on a Tinseltown studio set. Maintaining an aura of perfection was critical to an actor’s livelihood and – by extension – their home spoke volumes about what set them apart from the average cinemagoer.

A new book, Hollywood Modern: Houses of the Stars by Alan Hess and Michael Stern, offers a glimpse into this glamorous lifestyle. Photos show the inspiring futuristic architecture of southern California – from the minimal to the opulent – designed to set the standard for ideal living for celebrities by some of the era’s most innovative architects.