Dion Neutra (born October 8, 1926) is a modernist / International style American architect and consultant who worked originally with his father, Richard Neutra (1892–1970). Dion started training with his father at age 11. He attended the University of Southern California, spending his junior year abroad studying at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology architecture program in Zurich, and graduated cum laude. He became VP and principal of Richard and Dion Neutra Architecture and he became president of the Neutra company upon Richard's death in 1970.
Dion & Richard Neutra
After meeting with Dion at his home in Silver Lake and filming for over an hour I realized that I'd have to really drill down to focus on some his key points for those of you with low attention spans.
Why is building a case study home or homes from the 1950's important today?
It was an important moment in history for the mid century movement in
architecture.
What a gas to see one of those imagined designs actually realized today. The
problem is that theTitle
24 Building Energy Efficiency Codes would prohibit the
building of one of these homes as it was intended so we would like to get a
variance so that this could be accomplished.
Here's a Virtual Look Into Richard Neutra's Unbuilt Case Study House #6, The Omega House
LOS ANGELES COUNTY HALL OF RECORDS - the windowless south records block designed for storage has been converted to office cubicles
What in your opinion should be done with the Neutra designed Hall of Records building in DTLA?
Should be designated a CITY MONUMENT. It’s in the city. Second, funds should be found to re-examine the wonderful lobbies and public spaces we designed and regain their grandeur. Troubleshoot the louver installation and GET THAT WORKING AGAIN.
Why is it important to preserve Neutra designed homes?
They are an important ‘moment’ in modernist history.
There are only a limited number which still look anything
like when they were designed/built.
Do you think all name architect buildings should be preserved for historical reasons?
Wouldn’t be a bad start; why not?
THE “ENHANCE SILVER LAKE AS PARK” PROJECT
What are some specifics that you think would improve Silver Lake Reservoir?
Adopt my plan for the meadow area; put forth nearly 50 years ago now. It
recognizes and
honors the ONLY National Historic Landmark in our area; the VDL house II.
Also adopt my plan for the ‘The Board Walks of Silver Lake’. Details of
which I’m still working out.
This is actually easier and more feasible to accomplish than the more
ambitious plans put out by others to ‘created natural looking banks with
sustainable growth‘ as illustrated
in their drawings. Perhaps this could be tried in a few limited areas to see
what would
be involved. For one thing, it would reduce the reflective area of water by
quite a bit.
Neutra Institute for Survival Through Design 2440 Neutra Place
Los Angeles, CA 90039 323.666.1806