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Remarks at Altadena Country Club Luncheon June 7, 2001 On the occasion of the inaugural Scholarship presentations: Institute project 2000-3 Welcome to the inaugural scholarship presentations under Institute project 2000-3. I'll tell you a bit about why we're here today; some back ground on the Institute and where we hope to take this program in the future. The Neutra Institute for Survival Through Design has combined forces with Altadena Rotary to offer recognition to worthy graduates of PCC in the field of architecture and planning. Today we honor four such students, which I'll get to in a moment. Let me tell you a bit about the Institute. As indicated by Dennis [Mehringer, who introduced Dion], it was formed in 1962 by a group of admirers of Richard Neutra, in hopes of perpetuating the philosophy of the firm beyond its own life. Incorporated under the name 'The Richard J. Neutra Foundation', its name was changed upon the death of Neutra in 1970 to the 'Neutra Institute for Survival Through Design', named after the seminal book written by Neutra in the mid 50s. From the beginning the Aims and Purposes of the Institute were pretty much the same, with the addition of a fifth Aim in the early 90s. Here's what they are: I. COMMUNICATION To facilitate communication between planning professionals and project owners both within their fields as well as with scientists and others engaged in research or activities bearing on the relationship between Man and his environment. II. 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 of man's tamperings on the global environment. III. APPLICATION To encourage application of the newest scientific methods and concepts, as well as research in environmental and related areas 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. IV. EDUCATION To make the consumer and practitioner more discerning, the voter and students 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. V. PRESERVATION To preserve remaining authentic examples of the work of Richard and Dion Neutra architecture, founded in 1926 to the present, as a manifestation of the philosophy of the Institute; for scholars; and to preserve this cultural heritage. The idea of a scholarship program was born about a year ago when I discussed with Dennis Mehringer, my financial advisor, the notion of hooking up with an existing non-profit as a means of ensuring the legacy of this Institute after my passing. We had been thinking of how to get into the business of awarding scholarships and since Altadena Rotary had an on-going program with PCC, it seemed like a good place to start. To date no awards had been given to students in the architecture curriculum, so this opens up a new area for PCC as well. The purpose of these awards is to alert youngsters just entering the field to the philosophies of the Neutras, and hopefully engage a new generation into the values behind the practice of architecture as performed in the architectural firm which is this year celebrating it 75th year in practice. Each of the students will receive a certificate of award, a check, and a signed copy of Survival through Design. The only thing we ask is that as they work their way through the book, they communicate what they get from it, via E-mail to me, the Executive Director when they've made it through. I suggest you make notes as you go, and create for yourselves a report of how you respond to the concepts. In the future, we hope to explore the expansion of this scholarship program to include also other local University architecture programs. And now, this years recipients. I'll read all the names in order; please rise as you hear your name, and come forward. If we can hold the applause, we'll recognize them all as a group when the last of them arrives up here. One of the recipients could not be present because of a scheduling conflict. Here we go: o Karla Vidal o Debra Bird o Neda Pourashakouri o Benito Sanchez Contratulations to you all! You are the fledglings of the Institute Scholarship Program! Go forth, multiply, and spread notice of this Institute by inviting your friends to log on to NEUTRA.ORG! |
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Neutra: Articles |
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