The Richard Neutra Baily House is the #20 of the Case Study House program.Back to 1948 -when the house was designed and built- Richard Neutra was the most known and appreciated architect taking part to the program.
The main feautures of the house -simple lines, elegant, extensive use of glass, steel and wood- were the hallmark of all Neutra’s works in the late 40s; and he all brought them in to this new project.
For the Case Study House #20, the Neutra client was a young family for whom the architect had to build an affordable house but also expandable over time while the family/resources grew; as it happened three times in the next years.
The Richard Neutra Solution To Limited Square Footage.
The limited dimension -two-bedroom only- was a common restriction that post-war families had to face to build affordable houses; even though in this case the land surrounding the house was big enough to include future additions when required.
For an architect as Richard Neutra, the limitation of space was challenging. The solution he found was to design flexible spaces furnished with multipurpose furniture and fittings while also borrowing space from the outdoors.
For an architect as Richard Neutra, the limitation of space was challenging. The solution he found was to design flexible spaces furnished with multipurpose furniture and fittings while also borrowing space from the outdoors.
The Bailey house has a simple facade on the street side while opens up to the backyard thanks to sliding glass walls connecting the private rooms and the common spaces directly with the outdoors.
The wide glass and aluminium sliding door in the living opens to a slate paved terrace, a patio with an amazing view of the sea. The merge of the inside and the outside space was one of the main characteristics of mid-century houses that -specially in a small house like this- helped to gain living areas for its dwellers.
A New Way Of Building: The Prefabricated Units.
All the architects involved in the Case Study House program made efforts to experiment new materials and construction methods to make houses as cheap as possible without renouncing to a good design.
The central part of the Baily house is, as well, made of a prefabricated utility element that contained centrally amassed plumbing and heating installations.
Of course, having the rooms dependent on these core part had an impact on the house plan: the kitchen and the toilet are -as an example- depending on this mechanical core.
Of course, having the rooms dependent on these core part had an impact on the house plan: the kitchen and the toilet are -as an example- depending on this mechanical core.
The Use Of Outsides As Part Of The Plan.
Considering the outsides as part of the house was the solution that Richard Neutra found to face the lack of inside space. The kitchen, as an example, is opened to the backyard that -thanks to the pleasant Californian weather- could be used to have lunches and dinners or do outside house-works.
Even the car porch was designed by Richard Neutra to be, eventually, completely closed and roofed to make an extra room.
The bedrooms had one wall made of glass overlooking the landscape. Following the idea of flexible furniture, Neutra positioned the beds to get as much natural light as possible while a proper lighting system made them also suitable as couches so that the dwellers could easily read while relaxing.
Materials And Lighting System.
Another feature of mid century houses was the use of natural materials to cover walls and ceilings; as this reduced future redecorating costs and maintenance. Fior the Baily house, Richard Neutra used wood to decorate each of the rooms; different kind of wood of variation in gray color and finish.
Neutra used light birchwood in bedrooms while -in contrast- walnut in the living, walking closet and in the kitchen to balance the enamel finished fittings.
The common space is enlightened by a series of continuous east windows and a large glass front door-window facing the patio. Neutra chose mahogany for the dining area while light elm decorates from the entrance to the fireplace.
In the ceiling, hidden lights and unnoticeable light fittings over the dining table permit an highly flexible lighting scheme for different needs and room’s usage.
Neutra took care of every single detail of the project to optimize the living experience of the family. To him the quality of the wardrobe doors was as important as the color of the slate paving because the whole and the detail must melt together to make successful even a simple, two-bedroom house.
Did you know this Richard Neutra masterpiece and the Case Study House Program? Let me know in the comments!
All the pics in this post are from the amazing Case Study Houses, one of my favorite books and a must have for al the enthusiasts about mid century modern. Check it out!
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Thanks for reading and ciao.
Wait, don't run away! I think you might also like to read these posts:
Amazing house, and great pictures. I wish I could have seen a floorplan though. I love floorplans.
Hi Erik, I sent you an email
Thanks for reading and ciao.
Very nice write up! I’m with Erik on this one – I do love floor plans as well. Is it possible to ask for those if you have them?
Hi Conrad, thanks…then you should also like the last post about the story of the Case Study Houses Program. Did you already read it?
Check your mail for the plan
Keep on following and spread the love for MCH!
Ciao,
Marco.
I have read it and thank you for the email! This is a very helpful site for my research on influential house designs. Mid Century Home is a wealth of knowledge. Keep it up!
I knew Dr. Bailey and stayed at his house several times although I live in England. The house was beautiful and I was sad to see it has been rebulit by the new owners after Dr. Bailet died. Are there any pictures of what it looks like now?
Wow! How cool is this? Lucky you…
Unfortunately I did not have any pic of how the house is today. I suppose is still a private residence.
Which part of the house you liked the most?
Thanks for sharing!
Ciao.
Hello Mr. Sharp,
The house was sold at my father’s passing to the next door neighbor who committed to rebuilding the house using a copy of the original floor plans that I gave the builder. The middle section, the play room, was not rebuilt and that area serves as the connecting path between the two properties. I have never been back to see it, but I am informed that the construction was beautifully done.
I hope that you are in good health at this time and in the future.
Dale M. Bailey
Hello Marco!!! Breathtaking house and photos!!! Here I am over a year later. I read above that you kindly sent plans to a few people who requested them. Might I bother you for the same? I would love to see them.
Thanks again, I really enjoyed seeing and reading about these beautiful homes!!
Kind regards, Lita
Hey Lita, I would be glad to help you. Let me know for which house you would like to see the blueprint and I’ll do my best
Ciao,
Marco.
Love your site! I’m fascinated by the Case Study House Program. It’s amazing to see the styles today that can be credited back to Eames, Saarinen, Neutra, et. al.
Hello Marco,
I am also very interested in seeing any available floor plans you have for the Neutra Baily House. If you could please email me what you have, I’d be very grateful.
Thank you, Michael
Hi Marco,
Interesting write up! Though I would love to see the floor plans, which is the essence of a structure, to help me understand the spaces even more.
I really like this house. I’ve been trying to find plans and details that could help me understand the prefab aspects of it, so that I could build a model. Do you have any ideas where I could find those? I asked the architects that did the restauration but, since the house is private and still in use, they’re not allowed. But I’ve been wondering if somewhere there’s an archive with the historical plans and drawings…can someone help me? greetings from Berlin!
Hey, thanks for stopping by
In the book I mentioned at the end of the post there is a plan of the house…it is not very big though.
Have a look there to see if it is what you need!
Let me know if it was helpful.
Good luck!
Ciao,
Marco.