The 1963 fire destroyed the mature trees in front of the VDL House, which had provided shading and privacy. To compensate for the loss of trees, aluminum sun louvers and gold polarizing film for the windows were added on the southern end of the west elevation. The louvers, which resemble jet-plane wings, track the sun powered by a motor connected to a solar sensor on the roof. Gold window film provides additional privacy for the bedrooms and bathrooms, which face the street.