Houzz Tours
Celebrating Richard Neutra’s Innovative Los Angeles Home & Studio
The modern USA design, which marks its 90th anniversary this year, continues to inspire and offer lessons for living
Ninety years after its original completion, the home and studio that modernist architect Richard Neutra designed for his family along Los Angeles’ Silver Lake Reservoir in the USA remains an inspiration. The live-work arrangement shows how we can sensitively add density to the existing fabric of cities while maintaining privacy and preserving the residential scale of neighbourhoods.
Lush plantings right up to the edge of the footpath soften this iconic home and enhance the experience of nature to provide a welcome respite from the stress of urban life. Passive-design strategies also offer low-energy cooling solutions.
Lush plantings right up to the edge of the footpath soften this iconic home and enhance the experience of nature to provide a welcome respite from the stress of urban life. Passive-design strategies also offer low-energy cooling solutions.
The Lovell Health House perched in the hills overlooking Los Angeles, USA. Archival photo by Julius Shulman, J. Paul Getty Trust.
Neutra moves to Los Angeles, USA
Neutra was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1892 and studied at the private architecture school of the uncompromising modernist Adolf Loos. He was influenced by the social agenda of European modernism that promoted bringing humane architecture to the masses.
Inspired by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Neutra moved to the USA in 1923. He worked briefly for Wright in Chicago before joining his fellow Austrian emigré and architect friend Rudolph Schindler to live and work communally in Schindler’s Kings Road House in West Hollywood, California.
Neutra’s first solo commission in the USA was the groundbreaking Lovell Health House, completed in 1929 in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles. The clients, Dr Philip Lovell and his wife, Leah, requested a health- and fitness-focused house, and Neutra responded with an innovative steel-frame design featuring special floor-to-ceiling glass admitting full-spectrum sunlight, a chlorine-free swimming pool and exercise areas. The house cemented Neutra’s fame when it was included in the New York Museum of Modern Art’s ‘Modern Architecture: International Exhibition’ show in 1932.
In 1930, Cees van der Leeuw (of VDL Studio), a wealthy Dutch arts patron, visited Neutra in Los Angeles. He was surprised to learn that Neutra was living in a rented bungalow because he couldn’t afford to own a home. VDL loaned Neutra US$3,000 to help build his house, with Neutra coming up with an additional UA$5,000.
Neutra moves to Los Angeles, USA
Neutra was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1892 and studied at the private architecture school of the uncompromising modernist Adolf Loos. He was influenced by the social agenda of European modernism that promoted bringing humane architecture to the masses.
Inspired by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Neutra moved to the USA in 1923. He worked briefly for Wright in Chicago before joining his fellow Austrian emigré and architect friend Rudolph Schindler to live and work communally in Schindler’s Kings Road House in West Hollywood, California.
Neutra’s first solo commission in the USA was the groundbreaking Lovell Health House, completed in 1929 in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles. The clients, Dr Philip Lovell and his wife, Leah, requested a health- and fitness-focused house, and Neutra responded with an innovative steel-frame design featuring special floor-to-ceiling glass admitting full-spectrum sunlight, a chlorine-free swimming pool and exercise areas. The house cemented Neutra’s fame when it was included in the New York Museum of Modern Art’s ‘Modern Architecture: International Exhibition’ show in 1932.
In 1930, Cees van der Leeuw (of VDL Studio), a wealthy Dutch arts patron, visited Neutra in Los Angeles. He was surprised to learn that Neutra was living in a rented bungalow because he couldn’t afford to own a home. VDL loaned Neutra US$3,000 to help build his house, with Neutra coming up with an additional UA$5,000.
An experimental house evolves over time
Neutra had high ambitions for the 18 x 21-metre lot he purchased along Silver Lake Boulevard in Los Angeles. As his wife, Dione, wrote in 1931, the design was intended to “demonstrate in a small house what kind of progressive materials are available price-wise and that such a small dwelling need not be uncomfortable or have a hospital-like atmosphere. In this manner we will acquire a house and an office designed by Richard where he can demonstrate his ideas”.
The house, completed in 1932, was only Neutra’s fourth built project after arriving in the USA, and it was an opportunity for him to experiment with the social and architectural ideas of European modernism adapted to Southern California’s climate and landscape. As a young architect in Austria, Neutra was influenced by the Machine Age. He felt that the standardisation and mass production found in car manufacturing, for example, could be applied to architecture, bringing down the cost and making high-quality design widely available.
The home’s main building, a 195-square-metre duplex house and studio, rises two floors and includes a roof terrace and habitable basement. Neutra designed this entry sequence from the street, where visitors cross a bridge over a pond (dry at the time of the photo) to arrive at two front doors. A hidden door to the left leads to the Neutra office, and straight ahead is a glass entry door to the residence, with a view straight through the house to a lush, green courtyard.
Reimagining your home? Find an architect near you to turn your design vision into a reality
Neutra had high ambitions for the 18 x 21-metre lot he purchased along Silver Lake Boulevard in Los Angeles. As his wife, Dione, wrote in 1931, the design was intended to “demonstrate in a small house what kind of progressive materials are available price-wise and that such a small dwelling need not be uncomfortable or have a hospital-like atmosphere. In this manner we will acquire a house and an office designed by Richard where he can demonstrate his ideas”.
The house, completed in 1932, was only Neutra’s fourth built project after arriving in the USA, and it was an opportunity for him to experiment with the social and architectural ideas of European modernism adapted to Southern California’s climate and landscape. As a young architect in Austria, Neutra was influenced by the Machine Age. He felt that the standardisation and mass production found in car manufacturing, for example, could be applied to architecture, bringing down the cost and making high-quality design widely available.
The home’s main building, a 195-square-metre duplex house and studio, rises two floors and includes a roof terrace and habitable basement. Neutra designed this entry sequence from the street, where visitors cross a bridge over a pond (dry at the time of the photo) to arrive at two front doors. A hidden door to the left leads to the Neutra office, and straight ahead is a glass entry door to the residence, with a view straight through the house to a lush, green courtyard.
Reimagining your home? Find an architect near you to turn your design vision into a reality
View of the second-floor family living room looking toward Silver Lake Reservoir. The raised windowsill, with bookshelves below, gives visual privacy from the traffic of the street.
The four members of the Neutra family lived in the residence on the second floor, with kitchen, living and bedrooms all occupying less than 92 square metres. The other residential units on the property could accommodate his draftspeople and family guests.
The four members of the Neutra family lived in the residence on the second floor, with kitchen, living and bedrooms all occupying less than 92 square metres. The other residential units on the property could accommodate his draftspeople and family guests.
The dining and living room of the garden house wing. A band of windows wraps the room, with a raised sill allowing for perimeter furniture and bookshelves.
In 1939 Neutra added a 102-square-metre garden house wing behind the original house. Extra space was needed to accommodate renters, architects working in Neutra’s studio and a growing family that now included a third son. Neutra referred to the structure as a ‘garage’ to obtain approval, as this type of accessory dwelling unit (ADU) wasn’t allowed in Los Angeles when it was built in the 1930s. (Only recently has California’s zoning been reformed to allow single-family homeowners to more easily add ADUs in their backyards.)
The garden house was carefully designed to fit within the neighbourhood, with windows and plantings added for privacy. It allowed for flexible use over time, serving as a guesthouse, workspace and accommodations for the Neutra children.
In 1939 Neutra added a 102-square-metre garden house wing behind the original house. Extra space was needed to accommodate renters, architects working in Neutra’s studio and a growing family that now included a third son. Neutra referred to the structure as a ‘garage’ to obtain approval, as this type of accessory dwelling unit (ADU) wasn’t allowed in Los Angeles when it was built in the 1930s. (Only recently has California’s zoning been reformed to allow single-family homeowners to more easily add ADUs in their backyards.)
The garden house was carefully designed to fit within the neighbourhood, with windows and plantings added for privacy. It allowed for flexible use over time, serving as a guesthouse, workspace and accommodations for the Neutra children.
A rooftop dwelling was added to the main house in 1951, bringing together many of Neutra’s ideas. The interior space is designed for various uses, accommodating reading, private meditation or small groups. The deck’s perimeter is lined with lush plantings, and a reflecting pool to moderate rooftop temperatures occupies the southern side.
The ground-level floor plan is colour-coded to show the arrangement of living and work spaces. The main home is shown on the left, fronting Silver Lake Boulevard. The garden house wing is shown on the right, entered from Edgewater Terrace. A private courtyard between the structures occupies the bottom-centre.
In 1963, the three levels of the original home were destroyed in a fire. Neutra and his architect son Dion, who had worked with his father since the 1940s, rebuilt the house the following year on the foundations of the original home.
The duo redesigned the house to accommodate the growing family and architectural practice. By then, the three Neutra children had left home and Neutra’s architectural practice had outgrown its first-floor office space.
In 1963, the three levels of the original home were destroyed in a fire. Neutra and his architect son Dion, who had worked with his father since the 1940s, rebuilt the house the following year on the foundations of the original home.
The duo redesigned the house to accommodate the growing family and architectural practice. By then, the three Neutra children had left home and Neutra’s architectural practice had outgrown its first-floor office space.
The second-level floor plan containing the family quarters is colour-coded to show the shared common spaces and private sleeping spaces. Spacious outdoor terraces are located on the east and west sides of the home, with large sliding glass doors to connect them to the interior.
Richard Neutra sitting on the deck of the VDL house in 1966. Archival photo by Julius Shulman, J. Paul Getty Trust.
The reservoir had been reduced in size since the home’s original construction and no longer had the same visual presence. In response, Neutra brought water to the house, adding reflecting pools and roof terraces. Not only did these features pull nature closer to the home, but the pools also created a cooling microclimate and formed a safety barrier along the terrace edges.
The reservoir had been reduced in size since the home’s original construction and no longer had the same visual presence. In response, Neutra brought water to the house, adding reflecting pools and roof terraces. Not only did these features pull nature closer to the home, but the pools also created a cooling microclimate and formed a safety barrier along the terrace edges.
A folding door separates the kitchen from the living/dining area. When open, this layout helps connect the person cooking with family and guests. When closed, kitchen odours and messes can be contained. This arrangement also helped provide privacy when the living area doubled as an impromptu guest room.
Live-work design principles
Neutra wasn’t able to afford a separate office space early in his career, so it made sense to incorporate one in his home. This arrangement also allowed him the flexibility to merge family and work time. The young architects he hired could be accommodated in the flex-space apartments in the structure, and the creative endeavour of creating architecture could enrich the lives of the Neutra family.
Working from home has become a reality for many of us in the Covid-19 era. Neutra’s VDL Studio and Residences provides us with good ideas for live-work arrangements. The house is compact but was designed with built-in flexibility to allow it to adapt to the family’s changing needs. As Neutra wrote, “Everything had to double for something else to yield increase and elasticity of use”.
Careful planning gives separation and privacy for living and working in the same building. Sliding partitions and rooms that function as bedrooms and offices create versatility. The house is designed like a yacht interior, with built-in furniture. The seating that lines the walls seen here can double as guest beds.
Live-work design principles
Neutra wasn’t able to afford a separate office space early in his career, so it made sense to incorporate one in his home. This arrangement also allowed him the flexibility to merge family and work time. The young architects he hired could be accommodated in the flex-space apartments in the structure, and the creative endeavour of creating architecture could enrich the lives of the Neutra family.
Working from home has become a reality for many of us in the Covid-19 era. Neutra’s VDL Studio and Residences provides us with good ideas for live-work arrangements. The house is compact but was designed with built-in flexibility to allow it to adapt to the family’s changing needs. As Neutra wrote, “Everything had to double for something else to yield increase and elasticity of use”.
Careful planning gives separation and privacy for living and working in the same building. Sliding partitions and rooms that function as bedrooms and offices create versatility. The house is designed like a yacht interior, with built-in furniture. The seating that lines the walls seen here can double as guest beds.
A spectacular Chinese elm dominates the courtyard and filters sunlight into the space. Note how the courtyard’s rear wall is dark brown to help it recede from view.
Intimate connection between architecture and nature
Neutra coined the term ‘biorealism’ to describe “the inherent and inseparable relationship between man and nature”. He believed that we can lead happier, healthier and more productive lives when our homes connect us to nature. His house is built on a compact site, with an internal courtyard offering a green sanctuary in the city. The home’s two wings are not connected, and to go between them one has to walk through the courtyard and experience nature on a daily basis.
Browse beautiful Australian living areas with indoor-outdoor living
Intimate connection between architecture and nature
Neutra coined the term ‘biorealism’ to describe “the inherent and inseparable relationship between man and nature”. He believed that we can lead happier, healthier and more productive lives when our homes connect us to nature. His house is built on a compact site, with an internal courtyard offering a green sanctuary in the city. The home’s two wings are not connected, and to go between them one has to walk through the courtyard and experience nature on a daily basis.
Browse beautiful Australian living areas with indoor-outdoor living
The east-facing terrace off the second floor of the residence. A Neutra Boomerang chair sits in front of a transparent glass rail opening to the private courtyard.
Through an open floor plan and a nearly continuous ribbon of windows, Neutra made a seamless connection between inside spaces and the outside. The extension of the ceiling plane from inside to out also amplifies the connection.
The second floor and upper level directly access outdoor terraces. The terraces have solid railings with integral planters where privacy is needed. Where it’s advantageous to enhance the view, a glass rail or shallow reflecting pool extend to the edge.
Through an open floor plan and a nearly continuous ribbon of windows, Neutra made a seamless connection between inside spaces and the outside. The extension of the ceiling plane from inside to out also amplifies the connection.
The second floor and upper level directly access outdoor terraces. The terraces have solid railings with integral planters where privacy is needed. Where it’s advantageous to enhance the view, a glass rail or shallow reflecting pool extend to the edge.
Deep overhangs that project from the living room protect from the summer heat. The two-story vertical louvres on the right side of the house track the sun to block it from entering.
Sustainable cooling strategies
With central air conditioning not widely available in the 1930s, Neutra relied on a number of passive-design strategies to keep the house from overheating in Southern California’s hot summer climate.
Deep overhangs shield the home’s western side, with roll-down shades blocking the late-afternoon sun. The roof structure is vented so heat can escape. A shallow reflecting pool on the roof creates evaporative cooling. Neutra also devised an ingenious system of two-story mechanically operated vertical louvres that pivot to block the sun as it moves across the sky, replacing trees that had shaded the house before the 1963 fire.
Sustainable cooling strategies
With central air conditioning not widely available in the 1930s, Neutra relied on a number of passive-design strategies to keep the house from overheating in Southern California’s hot summer climate.
Deep overhangs shield the home’s western side, with roll-down shades blocking the late-afternoon sun. The roof structure is vented so heat can escape. A shallow reflecting pool on the roof creates evaporative cooling. Neutra also devised an ingenious system of two-story mechanically operated vertical louvres that pivot to block the sun as it moves across the sky, replacing trees that had shaded the house before the 1963 fire.
Architectural model of Neutra’s VDL Studio and Residences built by Cal Poly Pomona students.
Neutra died in 1970 and his widow, Dione, continued to live in the house until she passed away in 1990. The Neutra family bequeathed the VDL Studio and Residences to Cal Poly Pomona university in the USA, and this National Historic Landmark is now stewarded by the school’s College of Environmental Design and Department of Architecture. It is managed by director Noam Saragosti and a team of Cal Poly Pomona students and volunteers.
Your turn
Which design features of this home and office do you love? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
If you enjoyed reading about this architectural icon, you’ll love thisCalifornia Houzz Tour: William Krisel’s Iconic Twin Palms
Neutra died in 1970 and his widow, Dione, continued to live in the house until she passed away in 1990. The Neutra family bequeathed the VDL Studio and Residences to Cal Poly Pomona university in the USA, and this National Historic Landmark is now stewarded by the school’s College of Environmental Design and Department of Architecture. It is managed by director Noam Saragosti and a team of Cal Poly Pomona students and volunteers.
Your turn
Which design features of this home and office do you love? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
If you enjoyed reading about this architectural icon, you’ll love thisCalifornia Houzz Tour: William Krisel’s Iconic Twin Palms
Neutra was an architectural star of his era. In a career that spanned more than 40 years and with a focus on residential spaces, he designed more than 300 houses, mainly in Southern California, USA.
The VDL Studio and Residences, as his home came to be known, embodies the principles that guided Neutra’s architecture – lifting the human spirit by connecting to nature in modest-sized spaces as cleverly laid out as a ship’s cabin. The home served as a laboratory for Neutra’s evolving architectural ideas, as he added to and modified the building over the years, living there until his death in 1970. It was recently featured as part of this year’s Modernism Week in the USA, a celebration of modern design, architecture, art, fashion and culture.
The house was designed for flexibility. It provided space for Neutra’s architectural firm when he couldn’t afford rented office space, as well as separate apartments for his growing family and staff in need of housing. Neutra’s modest budget encouraged him to use inexpensive off-the-shelf materials, all the while arranging space to simultaneously conduct business, enjoy family time and have private spaces for alone time.