Dr. Grant Beckstrand House

Dr. Grant Beckstrand House

This all-steel house resembles the Beard House but features more conventional framing. Because Dr. Beckstrand could afford to finance Richard Neutra’s exploratory designs, sketches reveal a high level of experimentation as the architect meticulously investigated alternatives for each aspect of the construction. As a result, this house is one of Richard Neutra’s most exacting designs. For example, Neutra studied the best gauge of metal to be used for the aluminum light troughs and how the steel stash windows could most effectively be connected to their frames. The design featured integrally colored concrete floors and sliding glass and steel doors that allowed guests to move easily between the living room and the patio. With this project, Neutra had his first encounter with a homeowners’ association about Spanish tile roofs, and he designed parapets to hide the slope. Neutra also acted as a general contractor for the project, pursuing bids for both large and small projects, including the andirons and fire screen.

Adapted from Neutra – Complete Works by Barbara Lamprecht (Taschen, 2000), p. 153.