VDL Research House II

Los Angeles, California, U.S.A
1932; rebuilt 1966
At a time when Mission-Mediteranean was the style of choice in Los Angeles, architect Richard Neutra (1892--1970) built himself a Modernist combined home and studio that summed up his design ethos. The three-level structure is marked by full-length window walls, narrow support columns, interlocking volumes, and private outdoor spaces. Neutra was often concerned with emphasizing the "skeleton" of a structure, an interest that the house's clean, pure geometry reflects. The house was partially financed by Dutch industrialist C.H. Van der Leeuw (thus the moniker "VDL"). Gutted by fire in 1963, Neutra rebuilt the house in collaboration with his architect son and partner, Dion Neutra. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona took control of the site in 1990 but no substantive maintenance was performed until 1998, when a new roof was installed. But the house is plagued with serious problems: asbestos needs to be removed, electrical systems must be updated (the cause of the first fire), dry rot has set in, termite damage is occurring, and many windows and doors need to be replaced. An effective and sustainable use for the house must be found.