Cheap and Thin: Richard Neutra & Frank Lloyd Wright, lecture by Dr. Raymond R. Neutra

In a grumpy moment before the 1932 MOMA “International Style” architecture exhibition, Frank Lloyd Wright characterized Richard Neutra’s1929 Lovell Health House as “Cheap and Thin.” Though meant as a criticism, Wright’s phrase actually contained a kernel of truth. The Austro-American architect had immigrated to the United States in hopes of applying the methodology of Henry Ford to prefabricate schools, housing and clinics so as to be light and economical. Nonetheless, Neutra’s work can be seen as a continuation and modification of Wright’s Prairie House phase of work and the “eight points” that Wright laid out in his Wasmuth Portfolio as characterizing that phase of his work. Dr. Raymond Richard Neutra, the architect’s youngest son, will illustrate this thesis, which derives from his Kindle book of the same title. Lecture Recording Now Available: This event is generously sponsored by Kitchell.