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34-515: It is often described as the first steel frame house in the United States, and also an early example of the use of gunite (sprayed-on concrete). Neutra was familiar with steel construction due to his earlier work with the Chicago firm Holabird & Roche . Neutra served as the contractor for the project because no residential contractors were willing to construct a steel frame home due to

68-453: A 52-foot trough, and natural materials such as mouse gray carpeting and natural-colored drapes. The library's design includes a cozy corner with access to an outdoor patio and features built-in telephones and furnishings that highlight the forerunner of modern American interior finishes. The interior reflects Neutra's interest in Cubism , transparency, and hygiene. The "minimal" detailing shows

102-560: A coating to insulate it from the heat of the fire or it can be protected by a fire-resistant ceiling construction. Asbestos was a popular material for fireproofing steel structures up until the early 1970s, before the health risks of asbestos fibres were fully understood. The exterior "skin" of the building is anchored to the frame using a variety of construction techniques and following a huge variety of architectural styles . Bricks , stone , reinforced concrete , architectural glass , sheet metal and simply paint have been used to cover

136-407: A column are thicker and wider than the flanges on a beam , to better withstand compressive stress in the structure. Square and round tubular sections of steel can also be used, often filled with concrete. Steel beams are connected to the columns with bolts and threaded fasteners, and historically connected by rivets . The central "web" of the steel I-beam is often wider than a column web to resist

170-429: A hillside in three levels, connected by a long balcony on the third floor. These designs emphasized stepped masses and earth ramps leading to a tennis court, reflecting the natural integration central to Richard Neutra's architectural philosophy. Despite its later designation as the "Health House," none of the initial designs included the extensive exercise facilities originally envisioned by Dr. Lovell. In its final form,

204-412: A rectangular grid to support the floors, roof and walls of a building which are all attached to the frame. The development of this technique made the construction of the skyscraper possible. Steel frame has displaced its predecessor, the iron frame , in the early 20th century. The rolled steel "profile" or cross section of steel columns takes the shape of the letter "Ɪ". The two wide flanges of

238-707: A rooftop solarium, and rooms designed to maximize UV exposure. The home was one of the first in Los Angeles to include spaces dedicated to nude sunbathing, outdoor exercise, and vegetarian meal preparation, aligning with his belief in heliotherapy and drug-free living. Lovell's health-oriented ideals extended beyond architecture; he was a naturopath and a prominent health columnist for the Los Angeles Times . His columns, lectures, and radio broadcasts popularized alternative health practices in California, and

272-434: A spacious area featuring floor-to-ceiling plate glass windows, providing sweeping views of the ocean and city. A centrally positioned fireplace in this space allows guests to simultaneously enjoy warmth and the dramatic evening skyline, exemplifying Neutra's focus on blending comfort with scenic integration. A dedicated library space for over a thousand volumes showcases adjustable shelving, direct and indirect lighting through

306-579: A thickness of 12 to 25 gauge . Heavy gauges, such as 12 and 14 gauge, are commonly used when axial loads (parallel to the length of the member) are high, such as in load-bearing construction. Medium-heavy gauges, such as 16 and 18 gauge, are commonly used when there are no axial loads but heavy lateral loads (perpendicular to the member) such as exterior wall studs that need to resist hurricane-force wind loads along coasts. Light gauges, such as 25 gauge, are commonly used where there are no axial loads and very light lateral loads such as in interior construction where

340-520: Is established with a horizontal track that is anchored to the floor and ceiling to outline each room. The vertical studs are arranged in the tracks, usually spaced 16 inches (410 mm) apart, and fastened at the top and bottom. The typical profiles used in residential construction are the C-shape stud and the U-shaped track, and a variety of other profiles. Framing members are generally produced in

374-407: Is most evident in the repetitive use of factory-made window assemblies. In fact, Neutra's apprentice Harwell Hamilton Harris suggested that Neutra was drawn to America because of Henry Ford . The Lovell House design incorporates functional spaces that reflect both modernist principles and the needs of its inhabitants. The main staircase, described as wide and open, connects the living quarters with

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408-441: Is true that hot rolled steel members often have a higher initial cost per component when compared to cold rolled steel, their cost-efficiency becomes increasingly evident when used in the construction of larger structures. This is due to the fact that hot rolled steel frames require fewer components to span equivalent distances, leading to economic advantages in bigger projects. The use of steel instead of iron for structural purposes

442-510: The Lovell House became a physical manifestation of his lifestyle beliefs. This combination of health and architecture marked a significant departure from traditional residential designs of the time. The Lovell house was an expensive house during the time. Lovell paid his contractor $ 58,672.32. Leah and Philip Lovell had differing views on what they remembered the cost estimate to be. Philip recalled $ 37,000, while Leah thought, $ 48,000. There

476-534: The base material for the manufacture of cold-formed steel profiles. Sheet steel is then roll-formed into the final profiles used for framing. The sheets are zinc coated (galvanized) to increase protection against oxidation and corrosion . Steel framing provides excellent design flexibility due to the high strength-to-weight ratio of steel, which allows it to span over long distances, and also resist wind and earthquake loads. Steel-framed walls can be designed to offer excellent thermal and acoustic properties – one of

510-448: The demand for iron-based building products, due mainly to problems of producing steel from alkaline ores. These problems, caused principally by the presence of phosphorus, were solved by Sidney Gilchrist Thomas in 1879. It was not until 1880 that an era of construction based on reliable mild steel began. By that date the quality of steels being produced had become reasonably consistent. The Home Insurance Building , completed in 1885,

544-407: The frame to protect the steel from the weather. Cold-formed steel frames are also known as lightweight steel framing (LSF). Thin sheets of galvanized steel can be cold formed into steel studs for use as a structural or non-structural building material for both external and partition walls in both residential, commercial and industrial construction projects (pictured). The dimension of the room

578-503: The grain structure of the steel and align its crystalline lattice. It is then passed through precision rollers to achieve the desired frame profiles. The distinctive feature of hot formed frames is their substantial beam thickness and larger dimensions, making them more robust compared to their cold rolled counterparts. This inherent strength makes them particularly well-suited for application in larger structures, as they show minimal deformation when subjected to substantial loads. While it

612-437: The higher bending moments that occur in beams. Wide sheets of steel deck can be used to cover the top of the steel frame as a "form" or corrugated mold, below a thick layer of concrete and steel reinforcing bars . Another popular alternative is a floor of precast concrete flooring units with some form of concrete topping. Often in office buildings, the final floor surface is provided by some form of raised flooring system with

646-485: The house incorporated innovative structural elements, such as open-web steel joists and four-inch-square steel posts spaced at five-foot intervals, emphasizing Neutra's mastery of steel construction techniques. While the steel cantilevers appear freestanding, they are supported by the roof structure. The exterior design features horizontal bands of metal lath and white stucco, creating visual rhythm by juxtaposing vertical and horizontal lines. These bands are further enhanced by

680-738: The industry's unfamiliarity with and outright distaste for industrial materials employed for residential work. Philip Lovell was enchanted with the house and praised his architect publicly. Lovell had previously commissioned architect Rudolf Schindler to build the landmark Lovell Beach House in 1926. Neutra and Schindler were contemporaries in Europe and the Neutras lived with the Schindlers ( Schindler House ) when they first settled in Los Angeles in 1925. Lovell chose Neutra instead of Schindler to build his Los Angeles home while they were living under

714-486: The influence of Irving Gill . In another nod to industrial production, Neutra installed two Ford Model-A headlights in the main stairwell. (The headlights were provided by Neutra apprentice Gregory Ain .) The Historic American Buildings Survey described the Lovell House as "a prime example of residential architecture where technology creates the environment." The exterior consisted of a lightweight steel frame construction. The building used standard sections that related to

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748-627: The interplay of steel-framed windows and screens, which create a modular appearance emblematic of modernist principles. The 4,800 sq ft (450 m), three-story house aesthetically follows many of the principles of the International Style . It was included in the 1932 exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York that retrospectively defined the style. In essence it reflects Neutra's interest in industrial production, and this

782-421: The living, dining, and guest rooms. The main level also had the kitchen while the top floor consisted of the family bedrooms. The house was used in the 1997 film L.A. Confidential as the home of Pierce Morehouse Patchett, played by David Strathairn . It was also depicted in the film Beginners ( Mike Mills , 2010) as the home of Oliver ( Ewan McGregor ) and his father Hal ( Christopher Plummer ). The house

816-428: The members serve as framing for demising walls between rooms. The wall finish is anchored to the two flange sides of the stud, which varies from 1 + 1 ⁄ 4 to 3 inches (32 to 76 mm) thick, and the width of web ranges from 1 + 5 ⁄ 8 to 14 inches (41 to 356 mm). Rectangular sections are removed from the web to provide access for electrical wiring. Steel mills produce galvanized sheet steel,

850-451: The same roof. Neutra was known for his relationships with his clients—he thought of himself as a therapist and the client his patient. He spent time getting to know his clients and analyzed their needs. The Lovell house was specially designed according to Dr. Phillip Lovell's naturopathic tendencies which included a program or guide to healthy living. The house paid homage to Lovell's desire for exposure to natural lighting. A practice that

884-413: The spacing is 24 inches (610 mm) on center for all walls except for elevator and staircase wells. Hot Formed frames, also known as hot-rolled steel frames, are engineered from steel that undergoes a complex manufacturing process known as hot rolling. During this procedure, steel members are heated to temperatures above the steel’s recrystallization temperature (1700˚F).This process serves to refine

918-514: The specific considerations when building using cold-formed steel is that thermal bridging can occur across the wall system between the outside environment and interior conditioned space. Thermal bridging can be protected against by installing a layer of externally fixed insulation along the steel framing – typically referred to as a 'thermal break'. The spacing between studs is typically 16 inches on center for home exterior and interior walls depending on designed loading requirements. In office suites

952-408: The unit plan. The porches and balconies hung down from the roof level. This was done in order to avoid scattering the depth. The walls outside were 3.6" expanded metal reinforced with 1 1/4" of dense concrete walls (using spray-on concrete). The entrance of the house is on the top story, through a terrace. Upon entry, there is a framed view of an extravagant stairway. The main level of the house enclosed

986-462: The void between the walking surface and the structural floor being used for cables and air handling ducts. The frame needs to be protected from fire because steel softens at high temperature and this can cause the building to partially collapse. In the case of the columns this is usually done by encasing it in some form of fire resistant structure such as masonry, concrete or plasterboard. The beams may be cased in concrete, plasterboard or sprayed with

1020-526: Was established as a cure for illness. The design of the house was fit for the environment and exercise. Through these specified design elements, the house was coined with the term the ' Health House .' Dr. Philip Lovell's unconventional health philosophies heavily influenced the design and purpose of the Lovell House . Known for his advocacy of natural living, Lovell emphasized the integration of health-focused features such as outdoor spaces for sunbathing,

1054-514: Was first photographed by Willard Morgan (1900-1967) . Photographs of the building were regarded highly so that the building could be seen by many other people. These images were included in the Modern Architecture exhibition of 1932 at the New York's Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) . Steel frame Steel frame is a building technique with a " skeleton frame" of vertical steel columns and horizontal I-beams , constructed in

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1088-485: Was initially slow. The first iron-framed building, Ditherington Flax Mill , had been built in 1797, but it was not until the development of the Bessemer process in 1855 that steel production was made efficient enough for steel to be a widely used material. Cheap steels, which had high tensile and compressive strengths and good ductility, were available from about 1870, but wrought and cast iron continued to satisfy most of

1122-545: Was still an outstanding fee of $ 413 for Richard Neutra in 1930, which was apart of the estimated total of $ 5863. The Lovell House was purchased in 1961 by Morton and Betty Topper. It was added to the list of Registered Historic Places in Los Angeles in 1971. In 2021, art dealers Iwan and Manuela Wirth purchased the property for $ 8.75 million, "with plans to bring back its original lustre." The Lovell House underwent multiple design iterations before its final construction. Early designs included an L-shaped structure descending

1156-656: Was the first to use skeleton frame construction, completely removing the load bearing function of its masonry cladding. In this case the iron columns are merely embedded in the walls, and their load carrying capacity appears to be secondary to the capacity of the masonry, particularly for wind loads. In the United States, the first steel framed building was the Rand McNally Building in Chicago, erected in 1890. The Royal Insurance Building in Liverpool designed by James Francis Doyle in 1895 (erected 1896–1903)

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