Mr. and Mrs. Max Goodman House

Mr. and Mrs. Max Goodman House

This rectangular, wooden house has an intimate connection to nature, realizing Richard Neutra’s vision for “biorealism.” This “biorealism” is evident, for example, in the placement of clerestory windows at the bottom rather than top of a glass wall. Opening out onto a reflecting pool, the windows let in cool air after it moves across the water and plants outside. Mitered glass in one corner of the living room brings it even closer to nature. The house’s architecture has strong geometries, including those established by the rhythm of steal casement windows, which suggest Japanese influence. Japanese sources also inspired the use of curtains which separate social spaces like shoji screens would. Redwood planking is used for the ceilings throughout the house, bringing an element of unity to it. Built for Max Goodman, the house connected Neutra to a client who later supported his selection for the San Bernardino Medical Clinic project.

Adapted from Neutra – Complete Works by Barbara Lamprecht (Taschen, 2000), p. 247.