The Oyler House: Richard Neutra's Desert Retreat

"The Oyler House: Richard Neutra's Desert Retreat" is an exquisite documentary film released in 2012 that brings forth a piece of mid-twentieth-century architectural history. Directed by Mike Dorsey, the film presents an intriguing exploration of the life and work of renowned Vienna-born modernist architect, Richard Neutra (1892–1970), spotlighting one of his masterpieces, the Oyler House.

The film stars Crosby Doe, Kelly Lynch, and Dion Neutra, Richard Neutra's son. Dion, also an architect and partner in his father's firm, provides firsthand insights into his father's vision and aesthetics. Kelly Lynch, a Hollywood actress and Richard Neutra's enthusiast, and Crosby Doe, an architecture-focused real estate broker, bring an outside perspective to the narrative, underlining the timeless relevance and appeal of Neutra's work.

From the opening scenes, the "Oyler House: Richard Neutra's Desert Retreat" focuses on the idyllic desert home that Neutra designed in 1959 for a blue-collar desert dweller named Richard Oyler in Lonowood, California. The narrative circles around the unlikely friendship between Neutra, already a world-renowned architect, and Oyler, a humble department store clerk.

The film showcases how Oyler, despite having no background in architecture or art, had a profound appreciation for Neutra's work. Overwhelmed by Neutra's genius, Oyler wrote him a letter outlining his financial limitations but also expressing his wish to commission a house. The fact that Neutra responded positively and built what is known as the Oyler House in the middle of the Mojave Desert forms the core of the narrative.

"The Oyler House: Richard Neutra's Desert Retreat" delves into the process of constructing the house, revealing the harmonious relationship between the natural desert landscape and the modernist architectural design. The film employs a poetic visual narrative interplay between the harsh desert and the serene oasis of the Oyler House, highlighting Neutra's masterful design approach.

The Oyler house is presented not just as a simple building made of glass, steel, and stone, but as a sensitive entity that engages with the surrounding Mojave desert. The house, defined by its huge glass windows and sliding doors, integrates seamlessly with the desert landscape, offering a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience. The subsequent ownership by actress Kelly Lynch and her husband, writer Mitch Glazer, ensures the preservation of this artistic property.

Interviews with Kelly Lynch, Crosby Doe, and Dion Neutra, archival photographs, architectural sketches, and footage of the Oyler House take the viewers on a journey through time. These elements help make the documentary not just about the architecture and the house, but also about Neutra's planning process, his lasting legacy, and the continuing relevance of his work.

While the primary focus of the film is Neutra's architectural brilliance, the narrative also digs into the insightful human story. Through their interactions, Neutra and Oyler formed a deep friendship that transcended their disparate social and economic backgrounds. Their connection illustrates the unifying power of art and creativity, reinforcing the importance of understanding and appreciating architecture as a deeply humanistic endeavor.

"The Oyler House: Richard Neutra's Desert Retreat" serves as a tribute to Neutra's creativity, resilience, and humanism. The movie stands out by sharing the relationship between the architect and the client, a narrative typically absent from architectural documentaries. Unlike many films in its genre, it successfully interweaves architectural innovation with a relevelling in the beauty of nature and the richness of human relationships.

Whether viewer is an architecture enthusiast or not, "The Oyler House: Richard Neutra's Desert Retreat" is a compelling watch, offering a thoughtful blend of art history, architecture, design, and human stories. It welcomes the audience to appreciate Neutra's modernist vision and his rich architectural heritage while also revealing how architecture can shape our identity and harmonize with nature. The film ultimately leaves viewers with a deeper perspective about the role architecture plays in our lives and how it reflects and molds our interaction with the environment.