New Books Network Edward Dimendberg ed., "Richard Neutra and the Making of the Lovell Health House, 1925–35" (Getty Research Institute, 2025)
Jan 25, 2026
Edward Dimendberg, Professor of the Humanities at UC Irvine and editor of the new book on Richard Neutra, discusses the making of the Lovell Health House. He covers Neutra’s technical innovations like the steel frame and glass walls. He explores the house’s health-driven design, its role in Los Angeles modernism, and its later restoration and private ownership.
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Neutra's Transatlantic Modernism
- Richard Neutra's work sits at the intersection of European modernism and Los Angeles culture.
- His practice combined Viennese training with media-savvy self-promotion to shape modern architecture in California.
Project Began With A Realtor's Initiative
- Crosby Doe initiated the Lovell House book project while brokering its sale.
- He recruited Nicholas Oldsburg and then brought Edward Dimendberg into the editorial team.
Contrasting Design Approaches
- Neutra and Rudolf Schindler introduced European modernism to Los Angeles in different ways.
- Neutra emphasized rational, machine-like design while Schindler improvised on-site with found materials.
