Neutra Institute for Survival Through Design:
Aims and Purposes
Description
"SURVIVAL THROUGH DESIGN, to ameliorate by the fast-advancing
insights of all sciences, the human setting in which to live, to work,
to rest"
-- Richard J. Neutra (1892-1970)
The Neutra Institute for Survival Through Design is a non-profit California
corporation, established in 1962. Its name is derived from the prophetic
book by Richard J. Neutra, one of the architectural greats of the Twentieth
Century. The Institute's activities depend on grants and donations,
which are tax deductible. Its work is the expansion, implementation,
and memorialization of the basic Neutra theme.
This Institute differs from others with academic orientation in its
close affinity to the "practical." Founded by admirers of
the "Neutra oeuvre," it was determined that close liaison
with practical practice activity, as opposed to "Ivory Castle Academia,"
should undergird this Institute's inspiration and raw material for research
and development.
The Institute draws from the day-to-day experiences and observations
of an ongoing architectural and planning practice of three-quarters
of a century -- Richard and Dion Neutra, Architects and Associates of
Los Angeles. It welcomes the participation and similar inputs from other
like-minded practicing planning professionals.
The Neutras sounded the environmental alarm in the 1950s many years
before ecology, Green architecture, and Sustainable Design became buzz
words for politicians and recently concerned organizations. The Institute
is fortunate to have the interest and talents of Dion Neutra, son and
partner of the late Richard J. Neutra, to act as Executive Consultant
and Project Director for the Institute. As far back as he can remember,
his father was warning that "today's man-made environment has become
an irritating, increasing threat to the vitality and soundness of mind
and body."
The Neutras have observed that planners are frequently unaware of the
advances made by science and researchers in diverse fields in areas
that could affect "healthy environment," and therefore "they
continue to house man without fully understanding or fully respecting
his biological necessities."
Survival Through Design is not a "catchy" title. It is literal
truth, using the word "Design" in its broadest sense. Man
must re-discover the relationship he once had with nature. He must honor
a new generation of priorities. "Otherwise, we are headed for ecological
and personal disaster," warns Dion Neutra.
Biorealism is the Neutra term chosen by the Institute to represent
the firm's ideal of the "person-centered" approach to the
planning of the environment and the managing of ecology in ways that
will be of lasting benefit to individuals comprising mankind. The projects
of the Institute are all conceived with a biorealistic approach to serve
or activate people under one or more of the following objectives:
1. Communication
To facilitate communication between planning professionals and project
owners, within their fields as well as with scientists and others engaged
in research or activities bearing on the relationship between man and
his environment.
2. Research
To stimulate interdisciplinary research in the environmental sciences
and the planning professions, in cooperation with private institutions
and government agencies. Included is research into the planning process
itself, with a view toward increasing effectiveness and long-term concern
with impacts on the global environment.
3. Application
To encourage application of the newest scientific advances, methods,
and concepts, as well as research in the environmental area, to actual
planning projects. Concern for man's increasing treasure of accumulated
experience, its storage, and how it may be made broadly available and
usable to those engaged in the planning process.
4. Consumer Education
To make the consumer more discerning, the voter better informed, the
public more aware of and involved with issues pertaining to the design
of the built environment, to expand the role of educators in these areas,
to communicate and indoctrinate youth.
5. Preservation
To preserve remaining authentic examples of the work of Richard and
Dion Neutra architecture c.1926 to 2000 as a manifestation of the philosophy
of the Institute; for scholars; and to preserve the cultural heritage.
This statement of "Aims and Purposes" has remained largely
unchanged over
the half century since the founding of the Institute. During the Centennial
celebration of Richard Neutra's birth in 1992, Dion, with the help of
interested "Neutra fans," launched an effort to address the
potential of the computer and related technologies to serve the interests
of these objectives.
It may be that Dion's "second-generation" effort using the
computer -- as anticipated by Richard Neutra in Survival Through Design
-- will finally allow application of these design concepts enunciated
so long ago. Hopefully we will now begin to see concrete examples of
them coming to fruition in the service of humankind.
Another area of increasing interest has led to the addition of the
above Aim 5. There is a need for the study of strategies for preservation
of the remaining Neutra oeuvre. Too many of these works are threatened
or have already been lost. At this rate, there will be precious few
authentic examples remaining as the 21st century unfolds.
The Institute is dedicated to these objectives and is actively seeking
assistance, financial and otherwise, from individuals and organizations
who will join in the struggle for Survival Through Design.
Top
Membership and Donations
JOIN THE INSTITUTE for only $15 a year! As a member, you'll receive
our periodic reports on activities and projects of the Institute. We
aim to create a 'Neutra Community' dedicated to saving what's left of
the Neutra oeuvre; you can help! Your membership fee is a tax-deductible
contribution!
The Institute also gratefully accepts tax-deductible donations beyond
the $15 membership fee. The full amount of your donation will be applied
directly to Institute activities, such as Web site maintenance, preservation
advocacy, and outreach.
The Institute is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt Corporation (IRS ID 95-2471770,
California State ID D-0431129).
To join or donate by credit card using our on-line Paypal service
simply click the button below.
To join or donate by mail, please send your check or money order
(payable to the Neutra Institute for Survival Through Design), to:
Dion Neutra, Executive Consultant
Neutra Institute for Survival Through Design
2440 Neutra Place
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Thank you for your support!
Top
Contact
Dion Neutra, Executive Consultant
Neutra Institute for Survival Through Design
2440 Neutra Place
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Phone/Fax: 323.666.1806
E-mail: dion@neutra.org
Web site: www.neutra.org
12/31/98 Institute Aims & Purposes
rev. 4/23/01
Top
|
