Neutra, Richard and Dion, VDL Research House II
historic place
In Los Angeles, California, stands the Neutra, Richard and Dion, VDL Research House II, a significant historic place. The original VDL Research House was designed by Austrian-American architect Richard Neutra and completed in 1932. It served as his home and office, and a laboratory for architectural experimentation, partially financed by Dutch industrialist C.H. Van der Leeuw, hence "VDL". In 1963, a fire destroyed the original structure. Richard Neutra, with his son and architectural partner Dion Neutra, rebuilt the house between 1964 and 1968, creating the VDL Research House II. This new design continued the experimentation, blending 1930s International Style with 1960s California Modernism. It incorporated glass walls, built-in furniture, and reflecting rooftop pools to connect interior and exterior spaces. In 1990, Richard Neutra's wife, Dione, bequeathed the house to Cal Poly Pomona, which now maintains it. The VDL Research House II was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2016, recognizing its importance in understanding Richard Neutra's architectural progression.