BUILD THE PAST TODAY
The modernist architecture of the
1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s has a certain
indescribable quality to it; a quality
of innocence, purism and optimism,
driven in part by the politics of the day
and a capability stemming from the new
materials and construction methods,
which the war industry had developed.
Unfortunately, today’s contemporary
architecture seems to have lost sight of
its modernist roots.
1966. Richard Nuetra at his home. Photo taken by Julius Shulman.
I am an eyewitness to the ways
Through an exciting new partnership
between Dion Neutra, the Neutra
Office and California Architecture
Conservancy, that indescribable quality
of the past can, once again, be achieved
today. Pursuant to this partnership,
one can license the right to build
from the plans of mid-century master
Richard Neutra.
Neutra (1892-1970), perhaps the
most important of the mid-century
modernist architects, if not of the
Twentieth Century as a whole, became
famous for the simple geometries of
his designs, which were often made
of
steel
and
glass,
and
the
prefabricated elements that made
them extremely easy to build with
a modernist look. Known for rigorously
geometric yet airy structures, Neutra
worked with a keen sensitivity towards
blending the interior and exterior of
a space such that it would “place man in
relationship with nature; that’s where he
developed and where he feels most
at home.” This philosophy grew out
of his feeling that “our environment
is often chaotic, irritating, inhibitive
and
disorienting.
It
is
not
generally designed at all, but
amounts to a cacophonous, visually
discordant accretion of accidental
events, sometimes euphemized as
‘urban development’ and ‘economic
progress’.”
in which people relate to themselves and to each other, and my
work is a way of scooping and
ladling that experience. Richard Neutra
1935. Architectural Forum published two Neutra designs as part of a competition.
Twelve of Neutra’s designs are
designated as Historic Cultural
Monuments, including the Lovell
Heath House and the Richard
and Dion Neutra VDL Research
House; and three, including the
Bailey House, were included
in the legendary Case Study
Program. Neutra’s works have
been extensively documented
by architectural photographer
Julius Schulman and, as they are
a representative symbol of a style
and an era, several of his homes
have been depicted (almost as a
supporting character) in motion
pictures, including Curtis Hanson’s
critically acclaimed noir thriller
L.A. Confidential.
Neutra worked for a brief period
for master architect Frank Lloyd
Wright, and before partnering with
his son Dion in 1965, Neutra trained
several young architects, including
Gregory Ain, Harwell Hamilton
Harris, and Raphael Soriano, who
later became iconic figures of the
mid-century modernism movement
in their own right.
Neutra’s sublime designs are as relevant and viable today as they were a half century
ago. Now, one can take advantage of today’s advanced technologies and materials and,
together with the supervision of Dion Neutra and the Neutra Office, execute the original
plans of one of the most significant architects of all time. There are numerous plans from
which to choose for your own “Neutra” primary residence, vacation home or guest house.
Contact Billy Rose at The Agency to obtain more information on how to license the right
to build your own “Neutra”.
1937. Home for the Harnischfeger Corporation, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Featued in Architectural Forum February 1937.
Billy Rose | 424.230.3702 | BRose@TheAgencyRE.com
1948. Tremaine House, Montecito, California.
Billy Rose | 424.230.3702 | BRose@TheAgencyRE.com