(see Legacy section). In fact, Neutra's apprentice Harwell Hamilton Harris suggested that Neutra was drawn to America because of Henry Ford. But he did believe that there were many quotidian neuroses that. The house is the first example of the use of a steel frame for a domestic structure (as opposed to the, The Lovell Health House challenges previous conceptions of what constitutes interior and exterior in order to relieve our everyday neuroses. It is often described as the first steel frame house in the United States, and also an early example of the use of gunite (sprayed-on concrete). In this way, I think that the Lovell Health House can be seen as a sort of hybrid of the European and American modernisms. Neutra and Schindler were contemporaries in Europe and the Neutras lived with the Schindlers (Schindler House) when they first settled in Los Angeles in 1925. In December 1929, work was completed on what would become one of Los Angeles’s most iconic modern homes. The Lovell Health House seems timeless to me. The clean lines of the house could subconsciously streamline our mental clutter as well. American Modernist homes address this visceral desire for comfort, in addition to light and space. It is considered a major monument in architectural history, and was a turning point in Neutra's career.[2]. It was built for the naturopathic doctor and Los Angeles Times health columnist Dr. Philip Lovell and was called the Lovell Demonstration Health House, or sometimes just the Health House. Confidential as the home of Pierce Morehouse Patchett, played by David Strathairn. More specifically, this transition era in my life has made me wonder what the most healthy way to live, what is the best way to conduct my life? It was also depicted in the film Beginners (Mike Mills, 2010) as the home of Oliver (Ewan McGregor) and his father Hal (Christopher Plummer). Section detail of the window and its return. The house was built using techniques at the forefront of technology, see the photo of the construction workers applying the "Gunite" coating. This is what has always fascinated me about the American Modernism. Neutra believed that such pressing issues like PTSD or other psychiatric disorders of a similar magnitude could not be fixed outside of a psychiatrist’s office. Neutra worked briefly with Frank Lloyd Wright before establishing his career in Southern California, working for “Bohemian” patrons concerned with the connection between their health and living spaces before it was in the mainstream consciousness. Lovell Health House, also known as Lovell Nursing Home or Lovell House, is considered one of the most important houses of the twentieth century. The upper levels of the house are used as residential area with bedrooms, a large staircase is encased in glass and the lower floor is a living room that opens spectacularly to the pool, an open plan with a full mountain vista. Situated at 4616 Dundee Drive in Los Angeles, CA, the Lovell House was built for physician Philip Lovell. He spent time getting to know his clients and analyzed their needs.[6]. I do apologize for uploading a fairly substantial block of text, however it does give an excellent account of the fine detailing. The house aesthetically follows many of the principles of the International Style. Learn how your comment data is processed. (The headlights were provided by Neutra apprentice Gregory Ain. […] release or as a social or political agent. American Modernist homes address this visceral desire for comfort, in addition to light and space. The Lovell Health House seems timeless to me. Neutra really established himself with one of his earliest works: The Lovell ‘Health’ house built in 1929. As a result, the International Style aspired towards one-family homes set far away from the hustle and bustle, with no built-in storage for clutter to accumulate, huge windows to maximize light in the interior-their response to all the ills of historical architecture. The use of light and shadow through the spider leg vaulting to even the reflection of the pool are all constructed with the intention of producing a calming haven away from the activity outside of the realm of the domestic. The "minimal" detailing shows the influence of Irving Gill. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. Images courtesy of Richard and Dion Neutra Papers, 1925-1970 UCLA digital library, photo credits to Julius Shulman. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! The Client - Philip Lovell Phillip Lovell was a health & lifestyle conscious person, he wanted a home where he could fulfill his healthy regime in comfort where the function of the house fits around its form. Change ). In style, it looks like the International Style but in approach, it mirrors that of Wright more closely by integrating the relationship with nature into the home. Gunite was an experimental concrete coating that was sprayed onto a mesh screen. Although it was built in the early 20th centuries, it is somewhere that I could envision myself living comfortably. In another nod to industrial production, Neutra installed two Ford Model-A headlights in the main stairwell. This series of pictures depicts the revolutionary Steel frame during the construction phase. Be it, Medicine in Modernism: A Case Study of the Lovell Health House, Aesthetics of Excess: Rococo Revisited | The Female Gaze. The Lovell House was added to the list of Registered Historic Places in Los Angeles in 1971. In building a new architectural style, Modernists ( including Neutra) wanted to build a new lifestyle as well, free from the burdens of the past.