Grace Lewis Miller House (Mensendieck House)

Grace Lewis Miller House (Mensendieck House)

Grace Lewis Miller, who was known for bringing the European “Mensendieck” exercise techniques to Palm Springs and teaching them to high-end clients, commissioned Richard Neutra to design a house and studio for her in the city. Within the stucco shell are many unique features indicative of the fruitful relationship between Miller and Neutra. Miller requested that the ceilings be raised six inches to give the space a sense of lightness. A reflecting pool outside, visible through a glass corner that adjoined it, cast a dancing light on the white ceiling. Similarly, an onyx makeup table is carefully located to be illuminated by northern light. Neutra also designed large glass lights for the studio which stretch nearly from the floor to the ceiling, providing adequate illumination for exercise. Finally, Neutra planned cabinetry for the bedroom with Miller’s possession, including specific hats and sweaters, in mind. Once surrounded only by windswept brush, the site is now set amidst a more built-up urban space. The structure itself endured poor treatment for many years in its use as a rental although a new owner has worked to restore it.

Adapted from Neutra – Complete Works by Barbara Lamprecht (Taschen, 2000), p. 131.