First offering since 1950: Richard Neutra’s Brice Residence (also known as the Super-Plywood Model House), 1936-1950 comes with a rich history. Predecessor to John Entenza’s Case Study House Program, Neutra’s Douglas Fir Plywood Demonstration House was originally built for a House & Garden exhibition to showcase a modern living lifestyle. After a successful run, and much publicity, the residence was acquired by Stella Gramer, the law partner of John Entenza’s father. Stella hired architect Harwell Hamilton Harris to help move the house, and site it within its present double-lot garden in Brentwood Glen. 1943 saw the sale of the property to architect Maynard Lyndon. After completing his new family residence in Malibu, Lyndon sold the property in 1950 to artist William Brice and his wife Shirley Bardeen with good blessings and funds provided by his mother Fannie Brice. William promptly hired Richard Neutra to design an art studio in the garden. The compound has served the family well through today. Although written by Maynard Lyndon’s son, architect Donlyn Lyndon, describing the family’s Malibu House, his thoughts seem to apply equally to the Plywood Demonstration/Brice Residence as well: “Every decision about the house was intended to emphasize the interdependence of inside and outside: to speak at once of the pleasures of the place and of the importance of giving disciplined thought to its nurture. Nature, tempered, is given precedence. Architecture, tempered, speaks softly and eloquently of human presence.” Residence includes open plan living and dining areas, service room, two bedrooms (originally three), two baths, attached garage, and art studio.

This home is published in Architectural Forum, Fine Homebuilding, and Pencil Point Magazines:

The Brice Residence is also featured in Digs: