neutraVDL
Urgent Campaign for Neutra VDL
(Cultural Heritage Historic Monument #640)
An appeal for preservation maintenance and stewardship
See "Urgent Campaign for Neutra VDL" for further details and/or to contribute
In fall 2007, Cal Poly Pomona College of Environmental Design, The VDL Advisory Board and Friends of VDL launched two fund raising campaigns.

The first campaign to raise $30,000 to cover day-to-day operating has been met.

A second campaign is underway to raise $1 million to cover future operating expenses and restoration.

The $100,000 dollar endowment provided by Richard Neutra's collaborator and wife when it was gifted to Cal Poly Pomona, has been insufficient to maintain this complex structure.


Restoring and Maintaining the Buildings
There is work to be done on all three waves of construction. These include the basement of the 1932 original structure, the innovative indoor/outdoor 1940 garden house and the 1966 Richard and Dion Neutra VDL II wing.

Among the most pressing needs are replacing leaking roofs (which have caused significant water damage), and extensive electrical repairs. There are also jammed sliding glass doors; water damaged ceilings, walls and floors; deteriorated roof top and pocket gardens; cracked windows; non-rotating sun louvers; and malfunctioning lighting systems. A recent Getty grant has allowed us to accurately determine the cost of these repairs and renovations.

If you are interested in helping in any way, please contact Sarah Lorenzen, AIA. To become a “Friend of the Neutra VDL Research Site” contact Dr. Raymond Neutra.
Music Series at Neutra VDL House
The Neutra VDL house will have two evening classical music recitals in May 2010. Dates are Saturday May 8th at 4pm and Saturday May 22nd at 8pm (please arrive 30 minutes before the show.) Concert tickets are $15 per person. Please RSVP ahead of time to Sarah Lorenzen (sarah@neutra-vdl.org)

For more information on the recitals see our listing of Lecture and Public Events.
Neutra VDL Director Reappointed
Sarah Lorenzen, AIA has been resident director of the VDL Research House since October 2007. She and husband David Hartwell share in the responsibilities of caring for and promoting the house, giving tours of the property, hosting visitors, organizing receptions, and working to generate revenues for its ongoing maintenance. Sarah Lorenzen, AIA is an assistant professor in the architecture department at Cal Poly Pomona. She and David Hartwell are both principals of Plasmatic Concepts, a multidisciplinary design firm pursuing projects in motion graphics, built environments and graphic design. They are also the designers and programmers of this site.
Roof Repairs
Award winning firm MARMOL RADZINER has volunteered pro-bono architectural services to help Cal Poly Pomona's College of Environmental Design with the Neutra VDL Roof repairs. Our plan is to start with two of the house's smaller roofs, and move onto the larger roofs once sufficient funds have been raised. To contribute to the roof repairs capital campaign please contact Resident Director Sarah Lorenzen,AIA (sarah@neutra-vdl.org)

Marmol Radziner was established in 1989, launching a unique design-build practice led by architects. Since its inception, the Los Angeles based firm has developed a reputation for innovative design, research, and precision in applying construction standards for the restoration of historically-significant homes.

The firm's commitment to design excellence and to preserving architectural history has resulted in numerous awards, including a National American Institute of Architects Honor Award for Historic Preservation for the restoration of Richard Neutra's Kaufmann House in Palm Springs and the California Preservation Foundation's Restoration Design Award for the restoration of R.M. Schindler's Elliot House.

Other notable Richard Neutra homes restored by the firm include the Sten House, Clarke House, Lew House, Kun House #2, McIntosh House, and Sanders House. Additional restorations include John Lautner's Garcia House, Buff, Straub and Hensman's Katleman House, and Cliff May's Plesset House and Experimental Ranch.

Marmol Radziner is a full-service firm offering a range of design services including architectural design, programming, master planning, historic restoration, landscape design, interior design, and furniture design. For more information, please see our web-site at www.marmol-radziner.com.

Neutra VDL in the Press

Residential Architect Saving Neutra's VDL House
by Stephani L. Miller, August 19, 2008.

KCRW Frances Anderton interviews David Hartwell on living in the Neutra VDL House
2:30pm on May 20 2008.

NY Times Richard Neutra's Home Seeks a Down Payment on Its Future
by Stacie Stukin, May 1 2008.

Los Angeles Confidential Magazine, The Style and Design Issue 2008
by Sherise Dorf, May 2008. Pages 189-191.

Dwell Neutra VDL Research Site
by Christopher Bright, April 25 2008.

Channel 4, KNBC Los Angeles Raymond Neutra and Kelly Lynch interviewed by Cary Berglund
April 25 2008.

Los Angeles Times The clock is ticking for Richard Neutra's VDL Research House II
by Janet Eastman, April 17 2008.

The Cal Poly Post Architectural case study lacks funds for maintenance
by Ashley Schofield, April 1 2008.

Archinect Neutra's VDL House; v. Hard Times
by Orhan Ayyüce, Mar 17 2008.

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