Kaufmann House

Richard Neutra

Location: Palm Springs, California

Date: 1946
Size: 3,162-square-feet

Kaufmann House (view from south)

Richard Neutra (April 8, 1892 April 16, 1970)

Richard Neutra was born in Vienna on April 8, 1892. He was greatly influenced by both Adolf Loos and Otto
Wagner. After Studying at the Technical University of Vienna, Neutra worked in Germany for a while in the
studio of Erich Mendelsohn. Richard Neutra moved to the United States in 1923 and later became a citizen.
Neutra worked briefly for Frank Lloyd Wright before moving to California to work for his friend Rudolf
Schindler.
Neutras work was very important to the world of modern architecture. His designs were considered
rigorously geometric yet airy. The domestic work that Neutra did was a smooth blending of art, landscape,
and practical comfort. Therefore, Neutras building not only fulfilled their functional duties, but they also
made a statement in the surrounding landscape. Richard Neutra was also well known for the attention he
gave to defining the real needs of his clients. He and his clients worked very closely in order to create a
space perfect for its purpose.

The Kaufmann House

The Kaufmann house was commissioned by Edgar J.

Kaufmann Sr., a Pittsburgh department store tycoon.
Kaufmann had already commissioned Frank Lloyd
Wright to design Falling Water, and now he wanted
Neutra to design a winter house for his family in
California.

Perspective drawing of Kaufmann House

The heart of the house is focused on a central space that houses the fireplace. From this main block, the
structure radiates and extends in a rough cross shape out into the surrounding landscape. Each section of
the cross points to one of the four cardinal directions. The complex also includes a detached guest house
on the north end.

Plan of Kaufmann House to scale

Example of radial, cross-like layout

Upon entering from the south, one travels

through the public spaces of a covered
walkway that moves past the garage to the
entry hall. Branching out to the east is the
private living quarters of the family including
the living and dining rooms and the master
bedroom that overlooks the pool. To the
west of the central hall are the kitchen and
the servants living quarters. Traveling
north, one encounters an open, covered
patio that leads to the guest house. In
addition to the living spaces, the exterior
contains a roof-top gloriette that can be
reached by outside stairs. The gloriette
contains a terrace that is both covered and
not and a fireplace.

Roof terrace

Exterior view of Kaufmann House and pool

Exterior view of Kaufmann House in surrounding

landscape

The Kaufmann house is situated on a 200 by 300 foot lot of hill Californian desert. Neutra, instead of
having the house blend into its surroundings, wanted the house to stick out as a man-made pavilion
constructed for encountering, inhabiting, and observing the desert. The house was meant to be in total
contrast to the surrounding terrain.

Sources:
Architecture: Form, Space, and Order by Francis D.K. Ching
Architecture of Richard Neutra: From International Style to California Modern by Arthur Drexler and
Thomas S. Hines
Richard Neutra by Esther McCoy

Richard Neutra and the Search for Modern Architecture by Thomas S. Hines
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/31/arts/design/31hous.html
http://www.palmspringslife.com/Palm-Springs-Life/May-2009/Revisiting-the-Kaufmann-House/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaufmann_Desert_House
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Neutra