From Neutra to Belluschi

Earlier this week I met Jeff Belluschi, grandson of Pietro, the patron saint of Portland architecture. (Jeff was kind enough to seek out a copy of the photo atop this website, which I’m enormously humbled by.)

Jeff acts a kind of caretaker for his grandfather’s architectural legacy, keeping watch over Belluschi buildings. He lamented one owner of a Belluschi home who painted over the natural cedar siding the architect favored. He also explained how his grandfather favored gravel driveways for their Zen-like quality (that sound of crackling rocks) and how they can mark an important transition between public world and the privacy of home. Most of all, Jeff talked about Pietro as a renaissance man who loved painting and the outdoors as much as architecture.

One historic tidbit Jeff also brought when we met was a copy of a letter that Pietro Belluschi received on March 11, 1953 from legendary architect Richard Neutra, known best for his ‘Case Study’ houses in Los Angeles as well as the Lovell House and Kaufman House.

The letter (with Neutra's underlining) goes as follows:

Dear Pietro

This is written in bed, in a hotel in Eugene, in fact in the Eugene Hotel. Yesterday some boys took me to your Presbyterian church in Cottage Grove. It is really wonderful!! I talked with the Pastor and he is a happy client. The whole thing makes me happy although I am only a bystander – and not particularly a churchgoer. It is great what sincere architecture can do to a soul! There is perhaps no other profession like this. Often we have – I have – no time to think about it. But here I lie in bed and think. Everybody loves you here I have talked to. This is as it should be. An architect should be loved by the people and he should have deep sympathy for them. You are and you have. I am deeply glad to know you Pietro, and to have had a chance to see this third church of yours which makes me feel so good – with its warm earnestness, and with this inscription rock! I stood with the pastor in the sun under the still wintery trees. One day I hope to see you while I’m yet alive. Everything good to you.

                                    Cordially

                                    Richard

Kudos to Jeff Belluschi for keeping the flame of his grandfather, to whom Portlanders still feel an enormous degree of affection, marvel, and gratitude.

Comments

[Bill]

I've become a big fan of Bellushi's architecture, and have been trotting around Portland in search of his buildings; Art Museum, Equitable Building, Zion Lutheran Church, Platt house, Sutor House, Council Crest house, etc. The problem with modern houses is that they often are set back from the street and hard to see!

I'm also from the coast, so I have a particular interest in his work there. I've tried to find his Kerr house in Gearhart, but I suspect it is in a gated area. Does anyone know its location? Also, I found a 1989 book with photos of the Kerr house. In it, the house's owners mention they wanted Pietro to add a second story to the house, since the ocean has receded and diminished their view. Did that remodel happen?

Finally, a book I have (by M. Clausen) mentions his Seaside Apartments built in 1945. I'd like to know their location. Same goes for the Coates house at Netarts Bay.

Thanks for any help,

Bill

[David Owen]

On a recent trip to Seaside and Gearhart, I was able to locate the Kerr House by finding a plan and photo online, then looking for the building in the Google Maps aerial photos of the area. It took me less than 5 minutes to find the house using the aerial photos.

The house is located on a private drive. And considerable vegetation, especially pines, has grown up around the house which is at 1808 Ocean Ave. Here's a map/aerial photo at GreatBuildings.com which marks the location of the house:

http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/building_map.cgi?Peter_Kerr_House