The Lovell Health House, also sometimes just called the Lovell House, is older than most of the buildings we feature. It was constructed in 1927-1929, putting it a bit ahead of the mid century period. At a glance, however, you could easily mistake it for having been built a decade or more later. Its International Style design by Richard Neutra would help lay the groundwork for a movement that would prevail until the 1970s.
A Modernist Commission for an Unconventional Client
Understanding and appreciating the design of the Lovell Health House starts with learning about Neutra’s client, Philip Lovell. Born Morris Saperstein, Lovell earned a degree at the American School of Osteopathy before changing his name to Philip M. Lovell and relocating to Los Angeles.
Lovell distinguished himself by becoming a “drugless practitioner” focused on natural alternative health practices. His beliefs were unusual, including a focus on “vital energy” of various foods and what he believed to be the health effects of ample daily sun exposure.
Lovell said, “If you have never taken a sun bath, start slowly. Take three minutes the first day, then increase the time two or three minutes daily until you are taking from 20 or 25 minutes to an hour … The sun bath is as precious a part of your daily routine as any bathing hygiene.”
A Forward-Thinking Design
Richard Neutra was the perfect architect to take on Philip Lovell’s home commission. Unlike a lot of architects of his time, he put his clients’ personal visions ahead of his own. Lovell knew exactly what he wanted from his home on a functional level, and Neutra built him a house that met those goals.
Related Reading: Self-Proclaimed Neutra Geek Goes All Out On His Raised Ranch
The house is a masterpiece of steel frame design, featuring steel posts spaced five feet apart, with the roof supporting the cantilevers. In fact, it may be the first steel frame house ever built in the US, while also pioneering sprayed concrete construction.
The technology of industrial mass production fascinated Neutra, who made use of it where and how he could. The main stairwell of the Lovell Health House even features a pair of Ford Model-A headlights as an homage to Henry Ford’s industrial manufacturing techniques.
Lovell wanted his family to be able to spend plenty of time sunbathing every day. Much of the design of the Lovell House revolves around this purpose. There is a rooftop solarium and patios for sunbathing outside. Numerous windows bring a generous amount of sun into the interior. With the house’s hilltop location, Lovell’s family also got to enjoy a breathtaking vista.
Over the decades, the Lovell Health House influenced many modernist architects. It made its way to the silver screen in the films L.A. Confidential and Beginners.
If you enjoyed this post, you may also like You Can Rent This Nautical Neutra For $13K A Month and Case Study House #6: Neutra’s Study in Outdoor Living. And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube for more Atomic Ranch articles, house tours, and ideas!
