Austrian-American architect Richard Neutra is regarded as a well-known and significant modernist architect who incorporates the subtleties of the natural world and technological aesthetics into his designs. One of his notable works is the Kaufmann House in Palm Springs, California, USA.
Kaufmann House:
Edgar J. Kaufmann, the man behind the Kaufmann department store in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was the man for whom the Kaufmann house was designed. He asked Frank Lloyd Wright in 1946 to build him a second vacation home in California after his first marvel, Falling Water. The falling water is his first vacation home but in January and February there is heavy snow and he and his family can’t stay there. So to escape this harsh winter he decided to build his second vacation home in Palm Springs. Still, Richard Nutra ultimately took over the project because Kaufmann felt that the Talien West studio in Arizona was unimpressive and that the process would be time-consuming and costly. Richard was the architect he sought because he could complete the project more quickly and cost-effectively.
He proposed constructing a steel-skeletonized house with wooden beams and timber roof blades on a concrete foundation. The house is 3,162 square feet in size on 2.18 acres. It consists of 5 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. The structure has a large number of floor-to-ceiling windows that let light in. Very few walls are made up of rock stones and aluminium fascias were used to decorate the roof’s edges.
Here Neutra’s vision was to incorporate an international style of architecture. His projects exhibit the man-made structure. His buildings often have straight lines, flat roofs, and extensive use of steel and glass.
Exterior:
From the streets of Palm Springs, when one reaches the property, the driveway and the carport are only visible and the rest of the house has been hidden behind the tall hatches. These tall hatches provide privacy. People from the street can’t see the swimming pool. The property is surrounded by large gardens on all sides. These gardens are decorated with large rocks, sand and native cactuses, creating an illusion in many photos that the house has been isolated in a desert. But in reality, it is surrounded by many properties.
The arm in the south has a carport and a hallway, the west wing holds kitchen laundry and staff quarters, the north wing has guest rooms, the east wing has a master bedroom with a private bathroom and a walk-in closet, the living room is in the centre from where all these wings are spread in all four directions. This cross layout allows sunlight and wind from both directions into the living room and all wings have access to the natural landscape outside.
Located to the right of the main entrance is the carshed. The front door is accessible beneath the porch, which offers shade to protect people from the blazing sun. The staff headquarters is located in the west wing to the left of the entrance. The large windows in the living rooms let in plenty of natural light and give the impression that the outside and interior are hidden. These windows do not have any wooden frames. It feels like you’re sitting on the front porch taking in the scenery beneath the canopy when the sliding window is opened.
The interior and exterior flooring have been expertly designed to blend, demonstrating that the spaces are the same, except for a glass partition separating them. The living room and sitting areas were distinguished by the fireplace, where the dining table was positioned. At the end of the corridor is the master bedroom located on the east wing of the house. This wing has a sizable swimming pool that is reachable from the living room as well.
The characteristics of the ceiling and beam protrusions are among Richard Neutra’s most recognisable trademarks. The horizontal beams in Kaufmann’s home extend outward at this point. The servant room wing, which houses the kitchen and laundry, is on the west side. There is an extended canopy on the balcony of the servant rooms. The guest wing, in the north, has two guest rooms with attached balconies and bathrooms. This wing is connected by a covered corridor and was constructed independently of the rest of the building.
To protect the occupants from the powerful northwest winds, Richard Neutra introduced a unique feature to this corridor: manually operated aluminium fins that can be opened or closed entirely. The fins will be fully closed during sandstorms, and the slats will be fully opened when people need outside air. The rectilinear pond in the corridor, which has water circulating through it, decreases the temperature inside the home. The sky is reflected in the aluminium plates that cover the roof edges, giving the impression of transparency and allowing the structure to blend in with the surroundings.
The addition of Glorietta to the roof is another intriguing feature of this home. Kaufmann wanted to watch the sunset, but this area of Palm Springs forbids entry to the second floor. Consequently, Nuetra built this Glorietta, which has steel pillars supporting the roof. A beam extending horizontally had been fastened to the concrete chimney. Rock stones have been used to adorn this chimney. Glorietta also has aluminium fins.
In summary, Kaufmann’s home is a tranquil haven of beauty in the desert. Nuetra’s design was enhanced by light and shadow, aluminium fins, reflections, and landscapes, all of which gave the impression that it was floating over the desert.
References :
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