Future House(s):Genealogy: Lovell House

Lovell House was constructed using advanced technology and reductive form finding. Cut into a steep hillside, the three storey house constitutes a customized series of inverted reinforced concrete portals tied to the hillside carrying the suspended swimming pool and over which a prefabricated light frame structure sits. The factory made continuous triple steel sash with perimeter columns doubling as standard steel-frame window mullions forms an integral part of this frame. Parts of external walls are recessed in section eliminating support for the floors or roofs above. This seemingly floating effect is achieved by hanging them from the cantilevered roof beams, also demonstrating the strength of modern industrial materials. At the bottom level a delicate colonnade support the structure above the deep recess of terrace and pool area. The columns were 4 inch “H” sections. The floors and the roofs are supported by trussed lattice steel bar joists. The “I” beams used were 4,8,10 inch and were electrically welded to open web trusses supporting the corrugated metal with insulation decks. Perhaps influencing Eames house 20 years later. The walls are opaque; concrete was sprayed on to metal mesh; a technique experimented by Le Corbusier later became “shot” concrete. (Cement spandrel panels) The steel casement windows were attached to thin stays. White bands of concrete are pulled out of the box and function as retaining walls as well as linking the adjacent kindergarten.

The main entrance is on the top floor together with the bedrooms, each connected with two bathrooms. Every room contains an adjacent screened porch for outdoor sleeping with long view to the city of Los Angles to the south and Griffith park to the North. These porches and balconies are suspended from the roof frame by slender tension members. From the entrance a stair way lead to a long narrow four part living room below with access to garden space. The dinning and the library are setup adjacent to a rustic fireplace in the main sitting room. On this floor (ground level) are also the guest rooms and kitchen. The staircase is unenclosed. It occupies the south-facing high glass wall. It is speculated that the influence of Frank Lloyd wright can be seen due to contrast with the landscape. There are exterior play grounds and open air theatre and a court for gymnastics.

The roof was not water proofed but was later advised to be water proofed every year with liquid Sealex in 2 coats per Neutras learning from the far east/Japan. This was after 33 years since completion. (A maintenance factor).