Richard Neutra and Spain’s Transition to Modernity

Resumo

Emerging from the shadow of reminiscence and simplistic traditionalism, 1950s Spain increasingly accepted modern architecture as a uniquely suitable model for the modernization project of the postwar period. Interestingly, in this enterprise Richard Neutra became a pivotal and closely-followed guide. This dissertation uncovers the unique infl uence-relationship between Neutra and Spanish architecture and it unfolds the ways in which Neutra actively facilitated the ultimate triumph of modern architecture in Spain. Accordingly, this dissertation investigates the evolution of this curious infl uence-relationship from the fi rst Spanish impression of Neutra as an expert in modernization to the more meaningful and enduring understanding of his unique concept of modern humanism. It argues that Neutra’s own keen interest in Hispanic architectural traditions coupled with his unprecedented presence in Spain during this critical period made his discourse more proximate and palatable to Spanish architects than the discourses of other international modern masters. By surveying the channels of contact between Neutra and Spain, including the Spanish press and personal visits, the dissertation uncovers the vital personal relationship between Neutra and several important Spanish architects, and it traces the development of his theory in their work. Finally, it includes a fully scientifi c analysis of the mythicized yet never-realized proposal that Neutra submitted in 1956 for the competition to design residential neighborhoods for the United States Air Force in Spain. The dissertation consults almost 300 pages of neverpublished documents kept in the Richard and Dion Neutra Papers (UCLA) that illuminate this peculiar relationship; likewise, it examines the recently discovered and only-surviving copy of the dossier Neutra submitted for the 1956 competition. Both of these sources are fully reproduced in the dissertation’s appendices. It also consults Neutra’s published texts, period items from the Spanish press and works produced by several mid-century Spanish architects.