LA Architecture Tours, Sightseeing & Tourism

The Lovell Health House was designed by architect Richard Neutra in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles in 1927-1929. It is recognized as one of the most architecturally significant houses of the 20th century as it was the first house to be comprised of steel in the United States. Neutra developed his knowledge of steel construction while working for the Chicago-based, architectural firm of Holabird & Roche -masters of the early skyscrapers. 

The Lovell Health House was commissioned by Philip and Lea Lovell, who, only a few years prior, commissioned R. M. Schindler to build the Lovell Beach House in Newport Beach. This made the Lovell's significant patrons of modern architecture, but became a source of contention between the two architect friends who lived together in Schindler's Kings Road House. Neutra was selected by Henry Russell-Hitchcock and Philip Johnson to participate in the 1932 International Exhibition of Modern Architecture at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and the Lovell Health House was specifically included in the exhibit. This lead to international fame for Richard Neutra and the Lovell Health House, but left Schindler feeling rejected, and ultimately resulted in the dissolution of their friendship. 

 Tours of the Lovell Health House are not available, but you may be interested in a neighborhood walking tour of the Neutra Colony -the largest concentration of Neutra houses in the world. 

The Lovell Health House is Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #123