| State of California - The Resource Agency |
| DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION |
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| *Resource Name or #: |
CLARK RESIDENCE
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Survey Title: |
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| B1. |
| Historic Name: |
CLARK RESIDENCE
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| B2. |
| Common Name: |
CLARK RESIDENCE
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| B3. |
| Original Use: |
Single Family Residence
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| B4. |
Present Use: |
Single Family Residence
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| *B5a. |
| Primary Architectural Style: |
International /Modern Style
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| B5b. |
| Secondary Architectural Style: |
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| *B6. |
| Construction History: |
Date Built: |
1957
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| *B7. |
| Moved?: |
 Yes
 No
Unknown
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Date: |
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Original Location: |
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| *B8. |
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| *B9a. |
| Architect: |
Richard Neutra
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| b. |
Builder: |
Richard M. Illsley
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| *B10. |
| Significance: |
Theme: |
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Area: |
City
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| Period of Significance: |
1957
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Property Type: |
Single Family Residence
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| Applicable Criteria: |
| National Register Criteria: |
C
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California Register: |
3
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Local Register: |
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The Clark Residence meets the following criteria for landmark designation.
CRITERION A: “Its character, interest or value of the heritage of the City.”
The Clark Residence has character, interest, and value to the heritage of the City because it exhibits progressive architectural design ideas demonstrated in some of Pasadena’s best-known landmarks designed by some of the most important architects who practiced in California. Architects such as Charles and Henry Greene and Frank Lloyd Wright designed their Pasadena residential projects with a philosophy of simple, functional forms, environmental integration, and custom-designed furniture. The California Modern/International Style, as demonstrated by the Clark Residence, exhibits these same ideas in a completely original manner through the use of contemporary building materials. This Richard Neutra designed property enhances and expands the architectural legacy of the City.
CRITERION D: “Its exemplification of a particular architectural style important to the city.”
The Clark Residence exemplifies an architectural style of importance to the City because it is a locally rare example of modern residential design that emphasizes functionalism, environmental integration, and the dismissal of decorative, rather than functional, elements of the structure. This signature example of the California Modern house/International Style, an avant-garde style that employs contemporary materials and technology, but has no historical precedent for design. The practitioners of this radical new design were émigrés from Europe who profoundly influenced architecture during the 20th Century. Architect Richard Neutra, along with Rudolph Schindler, was instrumental in developing the International Style on the West Coast.
CRITERION E: “Its exemplification of the best remaining architectural type in the neighborhood.”
The Clark Residence is the best remaining architectural type in the neighborhood because it is a signature example of the California Modern house/International Style. The house remains intact and original after years of careful stewardship under the original owner, John Paul Clark and his family. It retains its original windows, doors, built-in furniture and fixtures. Again, this underscores the importance of the Clark Residence.
CRITERION F: “Its identification as the work of a person whose work has influenced the heritage of the city, state, or the United States.”
Richard Neutra (1892-1970) is internationally recognized as one of the foremost architects of the mid-20th Century. Among his strengths was his ability to extend architectural space into the landscape . The Viennese born Modernist was influenced by Otto Wagner and Adolf Loos and studied under Frank Lloyd Wright before coming to Los Angeles in 1925. He worked with fellow Austrian émigré Rudolph Schindler briefly before establishing is own practice in 1926. Almost immediately, his work drew international fame. His most famous designs were residential projects, such as the Lovell House (1928) in Los Feliz, and the Beard House (1934), 1981 Meadowbrook Lane, Altadena. Neutra was very active in southern California and in the Los Angeles area in particular. In addition to the Beard House, other Pasadena commissions by Neutra can be found at the Schmidt House, 1460 Chamberlain Road, (1948-altered in 1950); and 1540 Poppypeak Drive, the Perkins House (1955-designated a Historic Treasure in 1987). Another famous commission, the Charles Richter House at 1820 Kenneth Way, was demolished for the Foothill Freeway.
With regard to the Clark Residence, Neutra assigned architect John Blanton to supervise the construction of the house. John Blanton was associated with the Neutra design studio for over twenty years working on various projects over the years, and maintains an active practice today.
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| B11. |
| Additional Resource Attributes: |
HP02
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| *B12. |
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| B13. |
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| *B14. |
| Date of Evaluation: |
08/19/2002
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