Dion and Richard Neutra recreate VDL Penthouse for Kettal

The design of Ketal’s replica penthouse embodies Richard Neutra’s architectural theory of biorealism, which denotes the relationship between architecture and health

(Image credit: press)

By Ali Morris

last updated 7 October 2022

in News

Built by Richard Neutra for his family in 1932, the VDL Research House in LA is a landmark in the development of American Modernism. The house was razed by a fire in 1963 and Neutra worked with his son Dion to rebuild it, preserving the original footprint but fine-tuning the design and adding new elements. Including the penthouse of our dreams.

Outdoor furniture brand Kettal is similarly enamoured, to the point of working with Dion Neutra to replicate it. Kettal’s standalone penthouse replica is built using updated construction methods, but the design stays true to the 1963 original. An automated smart home system – of which Richard Neutra would have approved – has also been installed to control lighting, heating and air conditioning. We can’t wait to put one in our garden.

AS FEATURED IN THE WALLPAPER* DESIGN AWARDS 2020 ISSUE

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Ali Morris is a UK-based editor, writer and creative consultant specialising in design, interiors and architecture. In her 16 years as a design writer, Ali has travelled the world, crafting articles about creative projects, products, places and people for titles such as Dezeen, Wallpaper* and Kinfolk.