The Neutra VDL Studio and Residences served as Richard Neutra’s home and studio in Los Angeles. It is sometimes called the Neutra Research House, or the Van der Leeuw House, after the philanthropist who loaned Neutra the money to build it.
The original Neutra VDL Studio and Residences was constructed in 1932. After it burned down in 1963, Neutra’s son Dion rebuilt it the following year. That version of the home is the one that exists today, known as the Richard and Dion Neutra VDL Research House II.
An Experiment in Low Cost, High Density Living
When Neutra was designing the Neutra VDL Studio and Residences, he had already designed the Lovell Health House, which was finished in 1929. His goal with the building was to demonstrate that similar design principles could be implemented with a more modest budget and lot size.
Neutra had just $10,000 in 1932 dollars to work with. (That’s $235,801 in 2025 dollars.) The lot next to Silver Lake measured 60’ x 70’. Neutra considered the project a kind of residential laboratory in architectural design for testing practical innovations. He wrote, “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.”
Indeed, three families occupied the residence, which featured a two floors, a prefab basement, an open staircase, built-in furniture a penthouse solarium, patio gardens, water roofs and sun louvers. Glass walls and mirrors directed natural light through the house. The vertical construction ensured that residents could have privacy even while enjoying the light and views.
Destruction and Rebuilding
The photos you see in this post are of the Richard and Dion Neutra VDL Research House II. On March 21st, 1963, a fire started in the original house (to this day, its origins are unknown). Dion was able to save documents from the home, but the house itself was destroyed. Richard, who was 71 at the time, initially believed that the house could not be reconstructed. But Dion was able to persuade the building department to accommodate a rebuild project.
Dion handled most of the work on the rebuild, which included modifications and updates to reflect the opportunities presented by more modern materials and technology. Although the second version of the house has the same footprint as the first, it is a distinctly different structure.
The Neutra VDL Studio and Residences Today
Cal Poly Pomona University’s College of Environmental Design and the Department of Architecture are currently the home’s stewards. Restoration efforts starting in 2008 have improved the structure’s condition and ensured it remains sound. It was added to the National Register of Historic places in 2009, and has been a National Historic Landmark since 2016.
If you would like to see the Neutra VDL Studio and Residences for yourself, the university hosts tours for the public. The home is also sometimes used for exhibitions and residencies.
If you enjoyed this post, you may also like this article about Renting a Neutra For $13K A Month or this one about the 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!
