RICHARD NEUTRA’S VDL STUDIO & RESIDENCES: BLUEPRINT FOR MODERNISM IN CALIFORNIA
By Jade Reason
Neutra’s VDL Studio and Residence: A Modernist Masterpiece
VDL STUDIO & RESIDENCES
The experience of space is a phenomenon that has been intrinsic to the human experience throughout history. Space, in its vast and enigmatic expanse, has captivated human imagination and curiosity for a millennia. Understanding human's experience of space is complicated and diverse. Grasping how individuals perceive and interact with the characteristics and perspectives of spaces in which they dwell and inhabit within built environments remains a central cornerstone of architectural practice. Despite the inherent complexities and multifaceted nature of human spatial experience, this endeavor encompasses a multitude of factors, oscillating between testing our capacity for cerebral sensorial information and sensory perception, cognitive processing, emotional response, and socio-cultural influences, all of which contribute to the formation of subjective spatial experiences.
The famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright was influenced by the idea of Lao Tzu and applied it creatively in architecture. He engraved the words of Lao Tzu on the wall of the Taliesin West to show their importance: “The reality of the building does not consist in roof and walls but in the space within to be lived in. - Lao Tzu.”
NEUTRA VDL HOUSE & RESIDENCES
Nestled in the heart of Los Angeles’s Silver Lake neighborhood, sits a remarkable structure that transmits two things in particular: symmetry and clear shapes. Outside on a cloudy, chilly November morning, the eucalyptus trees sway swiftly in the wind while in the courtyard, deliberately arranged modern sculptural chairs accompany two small tables alongside numerous potted plants dispersed across the wooden deck and hard stone floor.
Here it becomes indisputable that Richard Neutra’s progressive approach to design values nature in all its forms, commends it and integrates it into his architecture.
The Neutra VDL Studio and Residences (also known as VDL Research House), located at 2300 Silver Lake Boulevard in Los Angeles, California is a three-story building with a distinct cubic form featuring a steel frame and vertical rows of glass windows that permit abundant natural light, saturating the interior spaces.
The VDL Research house was originally built in 1932 which was conceived as a laboratory to demonstrate how human organisms function in restricted spaces-a unified space concept that encourages both living and working in one building-it served as the residence and office of Austrian-American architect Richard Neutra.
Known for its recognizable glass structure, rooftop and balcony gardens, its penthouse solarium and reflecting pool, the residence was not only home to Neutra and his family, but his architecture practice as well. The name VDL refers to Neutra’s benefactor and friend, a wealthy Dutch industrialist, Cees H. Van der Leeuw. In the 2,000-square-foot design, Neutra illustrated how he could incorporate some of his architectural innovations from his high-end Lovell House project into a less expensive home.
The H-shaped VDL House, masterfully emanates natural lighting, glass walls, and mirrors to create a harmonious space that seamlessly reflects the surrounding environment. The house includes two parallel main buildings – a private residence and a guest house to accommodate visitors – linked by a lower structure for amenities such as bathroom, storage and utilities, ensuring both functionality and privacy. An open patio occupies the central space between the two main buildings. The main floor of the building contains the studio, which was used as Neutra’s work and exhibition space for his architectural models and drawings. The second floor includes the residence, which features a living room, kitchen, bedrooms, and a terrace overlooking the city.
NEUTRA VDL HOUSE & RESIDENCES
"I was convinced that high-density design could succeed in a fully human way, and I saw my new house as a concrete pilot project. I wanted to demonstrate that human beings, brought together in close proximity, can be accommodated in very satisfying circumstances, taking in that precious amenity called privacy.” — RICHARD NEUTRA
Embedded built-in furniture finished in neutral wood tones is featured in many of the rooms. Neutra used low-cost materials, including plywood and formica to fit built-ins designed for functional daily use. Other furniture was chosen (or made) by the architect for durability or efficient use of space. Meticulously designed built-in components reveal hidden compartments composed of clever storage options, folding doors, floors, ceilings, gridded shelving for books and material samples, seating elements, recessed lighting and appliances. The possibilities are virtually limitless. Built-ins can be customized to suit individual needs and preferences, achieving a clean and uncluttered aesthetic while optimizing functionality and maximizing the narrow floor plan arranged around the home’s floating staircase leading to the upper level. The groundbreaking concept of the built-in further enhances the sense of openness and serenity, while careful examination is paid to the strategically placed scale of the windows, floor-to-ceiling glass walls that blur the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces. Neutra had the sills lowered to a thirty-inch height to provide more expansive views and installed glass clerestories which served as a dual purpose; dispensing natural light into the kitchen-illuminating the space and birch wood cabinetry maintaining an airy feel, boasting warmth and vitality over garden views. The large amount of glass allows you to see directly through the house—further accentuating its relationship to the outdoors, offering breathtaking views of the Silver Lake Reservoir and the surrounding hills. As Dione Neutra would advise, “views of Silver Lake were best enjoyed from the penthouse, where water on the rooftop intersected with views of the reservoir beyond.”
Correspondingly, the automatic sun louvers that he designed allows the house to adapt to varying temperatures and levels of sun exposure. The heart of the house has an open patio area, a tranquil oasis where residents could relax and entertain while enjoying the gentle California breeze. Mirrors were intentionally placed throughout the home to imitate the outdoors and create the illusion of additional space. For instance, Neutra put mirrors on walls opposite windows to form “false” windows. Additionally, reflecting ponds serve as natural mirrors to mirror outdoor landscapes and the structure itself. The barrier between indoors and outdoors recedes completely.
NEUTRA VDL HOUSE & RESIDENCES
The 1963 VDL Research House Fire
The VDL Research House was tragically destroyed by a fire in March 1963. The fire not only demolished the physical structure but also resulted in the irreplaceable loss of a significant portion of Neutra's valuable research and documentation. Neutra's son Dion oversaw the reconstruction of the home, precariously adhering to the original footprint of his father's design, updating attributes to reflect the mid-century modern style. These changes included open-tread staircases, solar protection, new glass penthouse with expanded views, thus creating a blend of old and new. The reconstruction of the VDL Research House II was completed in 1964, marking a new chapter in the history of this iconic residence.
The freedom of movement is visible between interior spaces. Unlike the first VDL house, where food was passed from the kitchen to the dining room via metal drawers, the second iteration of the home had folding doors dividing the kitchen and living room spaces which made it possible to entertain with greater ease. The open-plan living area showcases period-appropriate furnishings, including iconic chairs and a glass coffee table that interact with and highlight the historical elements of this prominent house. The interiors are enriched with home accessories garnishing lighting, furniture, curtains, fragrance diffusers, a cooling system, and ceramics, creating a dialogue between the past and present while honoring the residence's fundamental structure.
Neutra retired in 1968 and chose to spend his final years in Germany. After his death, the Neutra family donated the VDL studio to Cal Poly. Since 1990, the house has remained under the stewardship of Cal Poly Pomona University’s College of Environmental Design and Department of Architecture, in honor of Neutra’s relationship with the institution. It has been transformed into a house museum and a platform for cultivating art, architecture, culture, and education. The building has been preserved as a museum and cultural center and is open to the public for tours and events. The museum has welcomed several exhibitions and installations that explore new ideas in those realms and is currently under the new curatorial guidance of directors Noam Saragosti and Juhee Park, who assumed leadership at the onset of the pandemic. This property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2016.
The building’s integrity is characterized by its use of simple, clean lines and its assimilation with the surrounding landscape. The interlude of light and shadow, amplified by the reflective surfaces initiated an ever-changing tapestry that transformed the house into a living work of art. The VDL Studio and Residence stands as a testament to minimalist elegance and the core principles of modernist architecture, a movement that sought to redefine the built environment anchored in function, geometric forms, developing new materials and new techniques. Architect Richard Neutra’s design philosophy has reinforced the alliance between human habitation and the natural world, achieved through spatial organization and thoughtful use of innovative technology to create sustainable structures.
“…So armed with my memories and convictions, and in direct contrast to the sense-inimical mien of my boyhood surroundings, I planted three families on my ordinary 60-by-70-foot lot, next to Silver Lake. And I was able to arrange things in such a way as to embellish our lives with abundant plantings and bracing vistas. One felt a great sense of freedom in the VDL, as everything was carefully planned to avoid interference between the various zones of the house, and there were many options for getting off by oneself.” - Richard Neutra
The property indicates Neutra's belief in the importance of social interaction and community within the built environment. It encompasses communal spaces and shared amenities, nurturing a sense of connection and collaboration among residents. The building's flexible layout and adaptable spaces further support this ethos, allowing for a variety of uses and activities that respond to the needs of both individuals and society as a whole. Overall, the VDL Studio and Residence serves as a powerful example of modernist architecture and Neutra's visionary approach to design.
Architectural design must transcend the mere fulfillment of functional and aesthetic requirements; it should generate spaces that resonate with the diverse ways individuals experience their surroundings. This necessitates a holistic approach that acknowledges the dynamic interplay between urban landscape and human experience, recognizing that architecture can both mold and be molded by the individuals who interact with it.
As social, cultural and home structures undergo reevaluation, the legacy of modernism continues to shift and echo in contemporary consciousness. The enduring influence of modernism continues to evolve and resonate, highlighting the relevance of their capacity to adapt and respond to changing social and cultural contexts. The house, serving as a gracious host, is regarded with deference and esteem by its inhabitants, facilitating a dialogue with its aspirations and acknowledging its limitations. In this sense, the home transcends its physicality and becomes a repository of narratives, experiences, and emotions. Its architecture and design embody the aspirations and values of its creators, while its spaces bear witness to the lives lived within its walls. The family, as the primary occupants of the house, plays a crucial role in shaping its identity and meaning. Their daily routines, interactions, and celebrations imbue the house with a sense of intimacy, while their memories and experiences become intertwined with the fabric of the building. The passage of time permeates the house with shared history and memory, as each generation leaves its mark on the structure and contributes to its evolving narrative. It becomes a laboratory for experimentation and a platform for the expression of individual and collective identities. It reverberates tangible and intangible elements of memory, further fortifying the house's narrative.
NEUTRA VDL HOUSE & RESIDENCES
About Richard Neutra
Richard Neutra helped define Southern California Modernism and ushered in the Modernist movement to the world. Neutra was born in Vienna, Austria-Hungary, on April 8, 1892, into a wealthy Jewish family. He was trained in architecture in Vienna and was influenced by the work of Le Corbusier, among other architects, studying the work of Otto Wagner before studying under Max Fabiani, Adolf Loos and Karl Mayreder at the Vienna University of Technology in 1910. In 1914, he took leave from school to serve in World War I and returned to complete his coursework in 1917.
Neutra immigrated to the United States in 1923 and where he worked briefly for Frank Lloyd Wright before establishing his own practice in Los Angeles. Throughout his career, Neutra designed several significant works, including the Lovell Health House and the Kaufmann Desert House in Palm Springs, California, commissioned by Edgar J. Kaufmann, which is celebrated for its immaculate design of the indoors and the rugged desert landscape, epitomizes the mid-century modern aesthetic.
In 1925, he accepted an opportunity from his friend Rudolf Schindler to work together and live communally in his Kings Road House project in Los Angeles, California. After becoming a naturalized citizen in 1929, Neutra designed the renowned Lovell House in Los Feliz, praised for its Modernist steel frame construction and cantilevered hillside design. By the time Kaufmann approached him, Neutra had already established himself as a pioneer in modernist architecture, known for his rigorous attention to detail and his philosophy of “biorealism,” which identifies the health and wellbeing of the occupants through design
He employed detailed questionnaires to dive into his clients’ lifestyles and design around them. In a 1947 LA Times article, Neutra discusses the importance of lifestyle-centric design, advocating for multifunctional living spaces that are flexible, adaptable, and easily modified. He felt the home must keep you healthy and make life easier. He became known for the single-family homes he designed for some of LA’s wealthiest families. In 1932, Neutra’s career took off even further with recognition in a MoMA exhibition. That same year, he began work designing the famed VDL Research House. He was a pioneer and became one of the key figures in the modernist architecture movement. Neutra retired in 1968 and chose to spend his final years in Germany. On April 16, 1970, he died at the age of 78.
“The architect is a physiotherapist and an economist; he can certainly support vitality and health, without which each individual life and each living in togetherness becomes depraved”
VDL STUDIO & RESIDENCES: 2300 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake
Opening Hours: Sat 11am-3pm
By Jade Reason
