Its not MTV's Cribs but it could be-- This house was built to appear like an ancient temple on a mountain. From the exterior, the walls appear to be etched with embellishments that look as though they belong to a temple or carved into a totem pole.

On closer inspection the exterior is meticulously detailed. Drawing the eye into the nooks and slots of its undulating facade. The very fabric of this structure demands attention. It's the cynosure of the hills and a testament to the work of a genius.

The valleculas of the Hollywood Hills house many a prize piece of art. But none more beautiful then the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Ennis Brown House, which has been carved into the earth on Glendower Avenue. The dwelling is one of four similarly designed Frank Lloyd Wright houses. The Ennis Brown structure boasts a plethora of owners and a superfluity of pop cultural significance.

The textured walls allow for a wonderful play between light and shadow as the patterns provide a prominent feature of the exterior. The blocks also allow for light to filter through into the interior, offering light that gently flirts with the inner mechanics and spaces of the house.

In recent years the structure has deteriorated. The retaining walls are crumbling as are the unique blocks that impart much of the structures individuality. What remains is the idea. A building that was built on the back of economizing on construction and not on design.

The design of the Ennis House lays deeply in Mayan origin. The dwelling shares this temple like similarity to three other structures in Los Angeles. Despite the prominence of the other houses and their powerful and lucrative owners its the Ennis House that is the most prominent in terms of its cinematic language.

As local architect Jeff Sulkin explained: "The Frank Lloyd Wright designed Ennis House was more significant as a consequence of its ties to the film industry then it had architecturally." Having appeared as the set or back drop to movies such as Blade Runner, Black Rain, The Day Of The Locust and more recently Rush Hour.

Joel Silver, producer of The Matrix, Lethal Weapon & Swordfish acquired the similarly designed John Storer House and restored it to its former state. A costly endeavor, be no doubt a rewarding hobby for an enthusiast.

As with many of the Wright designed houses, change of ownership, neglect and disastrous remodeling attempts have culminated in the houses decline. Although many of the issues that plague the now titled Ennis-Brown House are as a result of poor maintenance. The earthquake in 1994 hastened the destruction of the concrete blocks and compromised the retaining walls.

Now, the Ennis Brown structure is on the verge of collapse as a result of lack of funding and various foundation and bureaucratic issues. A recent review claimed "The sad reality is, it may only be a few heavy rains away from total collapse."

The block, a material considered to be aesthetically unappealing was the material that Wright choose to develop this and other projects with. The textile blocks were made from decomposed granite, which was utilized to color the the blocks. Though this later proved to be one of the failings of the design as impurities in the mix and the pollution in Los Angeles contributed to the buildings decay.

Gabriel Byrne, the star of HBO's In Treatment, recently commented on the lack of seasonal change in Los Angeles, and how that affords its denizens the comfort of time standing still. Whatever our season, the fact is illustrated in the Ennis Brown House. Time is a contagion we can not escape, even celebrities and their art are susceptible.

Story By: Terry Winders