About Richard Neutra and the Architecture of Modernism

About Richard Neutra and the Architecture of Modernism Born and educated in Europe, Richard Joseph Neutra helped introduced the International Style to America, and also introduced Los Angeles design to Europe. His southern California firm envisioned many office buildings, churches, and cultural centers, but Richard Neutra is best known for his experiments in modern residential architecture. Background: Born: April 8, 1892 in Vienna, Austria Died: April 16, 1970 Education: Technical Academy, ViennaUniversity of Zà ¼rich Citizenship: Neutra became a US citizen in 1930, as the Nazis and Communists rose to power in Europe. Neutra is said to have studied with both Adolf Loos as a student in Europe and Frank Lloyd Wright when Neutra came to America in the 1920s. The simplicity of Neutras organic designs is evidence of this early influence. Selected Works: 1927-1929: Lovell House, Los Angeles, California1934: Anna Stern House, CA1934: Beard House, Altadena, CA1937: Miller House, Palm Springs, CA1946-1947: Kaufmann Desert House, Palm Springs, CA1947-1948: Tremaine House, Santa Barbara, CA1959: Oyler House, Lone Pine, CA1962: Cyclorama Building at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania1964: The Rice House, Richmond, Virginia Related People: Le CorbusierWalter GropiusPhilip JohnsonLudwig Mies van der RoheAdolf LoosFrank Lloyd WrightRudolf Schindler More About Richard Neutra: Homes designed by Richard Neutra combined Bauhaus modernism with Southern California building traditions, creating a unique adaptation that became known as Desert Modernism. Neutras houses were dramatic, flat-surfaced industrialized-looking buildings placed into a carefully arranged landscape. Constructed with steel, glass, and reinforced concrete, they were typically finished in stucco. The Lovell House (1927-1929) created a sensation in architectural circles in both Europe and America. Stylistically, this important early work was similar to the work of Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe in Europe. Architecture Professor Paul Heyer wrote that the house was a landmark in modern architecture in that it showed the potential of industry to go way beyond mere utilitarian considerations. Heyer describes the Lovell House construction: It began with a prefabricated light steel frame that was erected in forty hours. The floating floor planes, constructed of expanded metal reinforced and covered by concrete applied from a compressed air gun, were suspended by slender steel cables from the roof frame; they express the changes of floor level strongly, following the contours of the site. The swimming pool, at the lowest level, was also suspended within the steel frame, from U-shaped reinforced concrete cradles.- Architects on Architecture: New Directions in America by Paul Heyer, 1966, p. 142 Later in his career, Richard Neutra designed a series of elegant pavilion-style homes composed of layered horizontal planes. With extensive porches and patios, the homes appeared to merge with the surrounding landscape. The Kaufmann Desert House (1946-1947) and the Tremaine House (1947-48) are important examples of Neutras pavilion houses. Architect Richard Neutra was on the cover of Time magazine, August 15, 1949, with the heading, What will the neighbors think?   The same question was asked of southern California architect Frank Gehry when he remodeled his own house in 1978. Both Gehry and Neutra had a confidence that many took as arrogance. Neutra, in fact, was nominated for an AIA Gold Medal during his lifetime, but was not awarded the honor until 1977- seven years after his death. Learn More: Neutra: Complete WorksThe Oyler House: Richard Neutras Desert Retreat directed by Mike Dorsey, DVD, 46 minutesRichard Neutra: And The Search for Modern Architecture by Thomas S. Hines, Rizzoli, 2006Neutra by Barbara Lamprecht, 2004Richard Neutra: Mà ¶bel Furniture by Barbara Lamprecht, 2015Life and Shape: The Autobiography of Richard NeutraThe Drawings of Richard Neutra by Thomas S. Hines, Architectural Digest, February 28, 1993