King Kevin Historicreport

HISTORIC AMERICAN BUILDINGS SURVEY
HASSRICK HOUSE
HABS No. PA-6795
Location: 4130 Cherry Lane, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.
A.K.A. 3033 West School House Lane, Philadelphia.
Latitude: 40.022918 Longitude: -75.188984 1
Present Owners: Mr. John Hauser and Mr. George Acosta
Present Use: Private Residence
Significance: A carefully-restored example of Richard J. Neutra’s work, the Hassrick
House is an adaptation of typical features of Modernism, including floor-
to-ceiling windows, overhanging eaves, and a strong spatial organization
blending inside and outside, in a unique environment for the architect.
Coming at a time and place which were rapidly and thoroughly changing,
it was no surprise that a style some saw as radical could take hold here.
The “Philadelphia School” of architecture, design, and urban planning in
the 1950s and 1960s included such well-known designers as Robert
Venturi and Denise Scott Brown, Louis Kahn, Lewis Mumford, and
Edmund Bacon and was focused on a functional approach to architecture,
especially in the realm of urbanism. Jane Jacobs’ seminal treatise, The
Death and Life of Great American Cities, was published during this time,
as was Kevin Lynch’s Image of the City. 2
Richard Neutra’s unique brand of modernism was not exactly in line with
that of the Philadelphia School, but it was not quite out of line, either.
Though the design of the Hassrick House was somewhat inappropriate for
its climate, Neutra’s heavy experiential focus, his attempt to balance
modernism with the historic and the natural, and his focus on total design
of the home – rather than separate disciplines – was not as far away from
the ideas of the Philadelphia School as it might have appeared.
Neutra’s East-Coast adaptation of California Modernism, combined with

George Nakashima’s woodworking and Irwin Stein’s own local variant of
the modern style later included in the home, creates an exceptional work
of architecture and tells a unique story of the modernist movement, both
regionally and nationally.
1
The Athenaeum of Philadelphia, “Hassrick Residence,” Philadelphia Architects and Buildings,
https://www.philadelphiabuildings.org/pab/app/pj_display_map.cfm/12104.
2
Nathaniel Popkin, “In This Month of Jane Jacobs, A Look at the “Philadelphia School” That Inspired & Frustrated
Her,” Hidden City Philadelphia (web log), May 11, 2016. http://hiddencityphila.org/2016/05/in-this-month-of-jane-
jacobs-a-look-at-the-philadelphia-school-that-inspired-frustrated-her/
HASSRICK HOUSE
HABS No. PA-6795 (Page 2)
Student Team: Saad Alarifi, Mohammed Alghamdi, Othman Alghannam, Hussain

Aljoher, Saleh Al Moghnam, Mohammad Alotaibi, Bander Alqahtani,
Turki Alrabighi, Awss Al-Shaibani, Ayad Al Shathir, Yasser Asulaes,
Anna Ayik, Ronaldo de Luna, Brittany Ewing, Mansi Gandhi, Shahab
Javan, Mostafa Khard, Kevin T. King, Jr., Shannon McLain, Evan
McNaught, Christopher Murnin, Meghal Patel, Adewale Sotubo, Long
Tran, Ali Zainulabdeen.
Faculty Supervisor: Andrew Hart
Part I: Historical Information

A. Physical History:
1. Date of erection:
Construction began on the Hassrick House in the early months of 1958 and was largely
complete by February of 1959, though final changes were made through the fall of 1959. 3
The studio addition – also by Richard Neutra – was designed in August of 1959 – a mere
six months after the Hassricks’ first occupancy and before the main house was finished.
Construction dates for this addition are unknown, but would have taken place after
October of 1959, when the final decision regarding the height of the addition was made. 4
Construction on a second addition, to house a new metalworking shop, began in May of

1961 and was likely completed before the Hassricks moved out of the home in 1963. This
addition was designed by Irwin Stein, a young Philadelphia architect who would later rise
to fame in the area. 5
2. Architect, builders:
The Hassrick House is the second of four homes designed by famed architect Richard
Neutra in Philadelphia. 6 After seeing him featured on the cover of Time Magazine, the
Hassricks realized Neutra’s design philosophy was similar to theirs, and they approached
3
Dorothy Serulnic to Thaddeus Longstreth, January 10, 1958 and Thaddeus Longtreth to Richard Neutra, February
29, 1959, in Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra Papers, UCLA Library Department of Special
Collections. University of California, Los Angeles.
4
Richard Neutra to Thaddeus Longstreth, October 19, 1959, in Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra
Papers, UCLA Library Department of Special Collections. University of California, Los Angeles.
5
Thaddeus Longstreth to Richard Neutra, May 9, 1961, in Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra Papers,
UCLA Library Department of Special Collections. University of California, Los Angeles and Woolbright, Cynthia,
“Five Books,” South Whidbey Record (Whidbey Island, Washington), June 29, 2005.
6
Hauser, John, “Philly Neutra, Part 3: A Surprising Bit of Nakashima,” Atomic Ranch, August 12, 2016.
HASSRICK HOUSE
him to design a home for their family. 7
Richard Neutra, a Vienna-born architect (1892), was influenced by modernism in several

forms. Taught by Adolf Loos and working for Erich Mendelsohn, Frank Lloyd Wright,
and Rudolf Schindler, Neutra learned and practiced a unique brand of modernism he
practiced throughout his career, especially in Southern California. 8 Neutra’s design
sensibility consisted of “spare, asymmetrical Modernist forms rendered in glass, steel,
and white stucco.” 9 His works include the Lovell “Health” House, 1928 in Los Angeles,
and the Kaufmann Desert House, 1946 in Palm Springs, as well as countless other
spatially-complex and externally-focused works. 10
Neutra often worked with local architect Thaddeus Longstreth as his project manager, as
he did in this project as well. As Longstreth worked in Washington Crossing,
Pennsylvania – much closer to the Hassricks and their property than Neutra, based out of
Los Angeles. Neutra was heavily reliant upon Longstreth for a great many sketches,
client meetings, and regular correspondence. 11
Thaddeus Longstreth was born in 1909 in Cincinnati, Ohio and educated at Yale and
Princeton. After working for Neutra as a draftsman in 1946, Longstreth worked at several
other firms before establishing his own practice in 1950. Through this office, Longstreth
completed his own commissions as well as serving as the supervising architect for many
of Neutra’s East Coast projects, including the Hassrick House. 12
In January of 1958, the Hassricks selected local builder George Newman as the foreman
for the project. 13 Three other builders had been under consideration, but the primary
selection factor was cost – the Hassricks had a considerably low budget for the home,
$30,000, and finding a builder to submit bids consistent with this low figure took nearly
7
Acosta, George, various interviews by various students, Personal Interview, Philadelphia, PA, June 2015 through
June 2017 and Barbara E. Hassrick to Richard Neutra, December 18, 1956, in Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5
& 6. Neutra Papers, UCLA Library Department of Special Collections. University of California, Los Angeles.
8
Great Buildings, “Richard Neutra,” Artifice, Inc., 2013,
http://www.greatbuildings.com/architects/Richard_Neutra.html.
9
Society of Architectural Historians, Southern California Chapter, “Richard Neutra (1892-1970),” Society of
Architectural Historians/Southern California Chapter,
www.sahscc.org/site/index/php?function=architect_details&id=7.
10
Great Buildings.
11
Thaddeus Longstreth to Richard Neutra, December 17, 1956; Lloyd A. Fry Roofing Company to Thaddeus
Longstreth, January 30, 1957; and Thaddeus Longstreth to Richard Neutra, 17 November 1958, in Collection 1179:
Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra Papers, UCLA Library Department of Special Collections. University of California,
Los Angeles. By the fall of 1958, Longstreth had moved his office to Princeton, New Jersey.
12
The Athenaeum of Philadelphia.
13
Richard Neutra to George Newman, April 14, 1958, in Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra Papers,
UCLA Library Department of Special Collections. University of California, Los Angeles. Neutra’s letter to George
Newman was addressed to 116 West Queen Lane, in the adjacent neighborhood of Germantown.
HASSRICK HOUSE
five months. 14
When Mr. Hassrick wanted a new metalworking studio, however, he and his wife chose a
different architect – local modernist Irwin Stein – who had built several other homes in
the neighborhood, including one for his brother further down School House Lane. 15
Irwin Stein, born and raised in Philadelphia, received his education at the University of
Pennsylvania in 1953 before establishing his own practice in 1956. The clear majority of
Stein’s work are residences located in Philadelphia as well as Florida. While Stein does
not manifest a clear style, all of his work shows modernist influences. 16
3. Original and subsequent owners:
From approximately 608’ east of and across School House Lane from the current
Netherfield Road, the historic “Allison” tract ran to the northwest 932’-7 ½”, then to the
northeast 300’-0”, then to the southeast 944’-10” back to School House Lane. 17 The tract
has since been subdivided; the Hassrick portion of the property lacks frontage along
School House Lane.
Approximately the first 675’-0” of the property’s depth, perpendicular to School House
Lane, is now owned by Philadelphia University. 18 In addition, two parcels adjacent to the
original Hassrick property boundaries have since been acquired, increasing the size of the
lot by just over 40,000 square feet. 19 By the time of the Stein addition, the existing
property line began 675’-0” to the northwest of School House Lane and ran North 36°
42’ 08” West a distance of 269’-11” along the center line of Cherry Lane, thence North
16° 14’ 08” West a distance of 8’-9 5/8”, thence North 62° 04’ 52” East a distance of
275’-3 5/8”, thence roughly southwest, at an unknown heading, a distance of 375’-5 5/8”,
thence roughly east-northeast at an unknown heading, a distance of 320’-2”, thence North
53° 17’ 52” East approximately 244’-2” to start point.
14
Thaddeus Longstreth to Richard Neutra, September 25, 1957 and November 22, 1957, in Collection 1179: Box
820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra Papers, UCLA Library Department of Special Collections. University of California, Los
Angeles. The Hassricks’ budget was approximately $30,000, and potential builders bid the job at $42,000 (George
Newman), $46,000 (Allen Cornell), and $36,000 (Dominick Millatelli). The fourth contractor, William A. Gaul,
expressed interest in the project but did not submit a bid. George Newman later came back with a bid of $33,080 and
by November of 1957 the Hassricks had signed him as foreman.
15
Craig Wakefield, “Homes by Irwin Stein,” Modern Homes Philadelphia, 2012,
http://www.modernhomesphiladelphia.com/Irwin-stein-c20325.html.
16
Wakefield.
17
Historic Map Works, LLC, “Plate 014,” Map, in Philadelphia 1892 Vol 12 Ward 21, Vol. 12, PA: G.W. Bromley,
1892.
18
See Section B: Historical Context for more information about the original buildings on this portion of the
property.
19
City of Philadelphia, “4130 Cherry Lane,” Map, in Parcel Explorer, PA: Phila.gov, 2017; City of Philadelphia,
“4126 Cherry Lane,” Map, in Parcel Explorer, PA: Phila.gov, 2017; and Phila.gov, “4130 Cherry Lane Parcel 2,”
Map, in Parcel Explorer, PA: Phila.gov, 2017.
HASSRICK HOUSE
Kenneth Hassrick, a local metal sculptor, and his wife Barbara (known as “Doll”)
received as a wedding gift a three-acre tract of land along Cherry Lane (as well as a
Bugatti) from Doll’s parents, who had already built a French Norman-inspired home at
the end of the private way. 20 It was the Hassricks who commissioned the eponymous
home, though the family only lived there for approximately four years. 21
In 1962, when the Hassricks decided to move to the Hollywood Hills, their home was
purchased by Henry Sawyer, an attorney, and his wife, who retained ownership of the
property until 2003. 22
The Sawyers sold the home to a local architect with hopes of restoring it, but the new
owner quickly ran out of money and the home suffered a foreclosure. The vacant
property sat open until 2008, and had suffered significant deterioration due to vandals and
various animal occupants. The property suffered a foreclosure in 2008 due in large part
because of this deteriorated condition, but was purchased by John Hauser and George
Acosta in the fall of that year. 23
The new owners immediately began a comprehensive restoration of the Hassrick House,
guided by period primary sources including the University of Pennsylvania Architectural
Archives’ Thaddeus Longstreth files, containing original plans and photographs, and the
University of California – Los Angeles archives, containing original correspondence
between Richard Neutra, Thaddeus Longstreth, and the homeowners. 24
Original and subsequent occupants:
Throughout its history, the home has been occupied by its legal owners. This excludes the
period sometime between 2003 and 2008 when it was unoccupied and briefly owned by
the bank.
4. Workmen and materials suppliers:
Materials
With the sole exception of the Irwin Stein addition, the entirety of the Hassrick House
exterior walls (and some on the interior) are built of Bethayres block, a concrete block of
20
Acosta.
21
Woolbright.
22
Acosta.
23
Hauser, John, “Philly Neutra Part 1: An Opportunity Worth Seizing,” Atomic Ranch, August 08, 2016; Hauser,
John, “Philly Neutra, Part 2: Channeling the Kaufmann House,” Atomic Ranch, August 10, 2016; and Acosta.
24
Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra Papers, UCLA Library Department of Special Collections.
University of California, Los Angeles.
HASSRICK HOUSE
local manufacture. 25 The Bethayres Concrete Block Company was located on Philmont
Avenue in Lower Moreland Township, Pennsylvania and made concrete block meeting
national specifications, but in a unique, grey-to-pink color palette. 26 Aside from the
Hassricks’ desire to use the material, Longstreth mentioned that “In conforming to the
Philadelphia building code requiring 8” masonry walls, this might be a worthwhile
consideration to keep costs down… I certainly believe the Hassricks could be done for
$13 [per square foot].” 27At current time, the Hassrick House is the only Neutra work
known to have used this color palette for its primary material.
The debate over finishes lasted several months, as project updates from Thaddeus
Longstreth revealed to Neutra. Some of the Hassrick-requested changes benefited the
overall design, as in the addition of freestanding upper cabinets in the kitchen—but others
disappointed Neutra. The architect was frustrated when Kenneth Hassrick expressed his
desire to plaster the east, north, and west faces of the fireplace, leaving only the 4” block
pilaster exposed. He was also unhappy with the Hassricks’ decision to hire George
Nakashima to solve the so-called “kitchen closing-off problem.” 28
In February of 1959, the Hassricks commissioned Nakashima, a local woodworker, to

build custom woodwork for the kitchen. The invoice for the work reads “1 spec[ial]
sliding door case (like carnoid [sic] hanging case) dk walnut no sap – 2 dovetails corners
[sic] – overhang in front concave (cut, as Leftschitz).” 29 A discussion with George’s
niece, Soomi Amagasu, revealed the careful design and precise construction of the case,
though neither of George’s surviving children have any recollection of the specific
Hassrick job. 30
25
Thaddeus Longstreth to Richard Neutra, December 26, 1956, in Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra
26
Franklin Barrett, “Franklin Barrett b. 1932: My Family,” Voices of the Valley (web log), April 08, 2013,
http://www.lowermoreland.org/resources/2013-04-08-21-35-16/voices-of-the-valley/434-franklin-barrett/file;
Thaddeus Longstreth to Richard Neutra, December 29, 1956; and Bethayres Concrete Block Company to Thaddeus
Longstreth and Richard Neutra., December 29, 1956, in Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra Papers,
UCLA Library Department of Special Collections. University of California, Los Angeles. In response to a letter
Longstreth had sent on Neutra’s behalf, the Bethayres company provided the architects with specifications for
8x8x16 hollow ASTM C90 Grade A block, formed of 1 ¾” shell thickness surrounding two cores. It is likely this
grade of block which was used for the home.
27
Longstreth to Neutra, December 17, 1956.
28
Barbara Hassrick to Richard Neutra, April 1, 1961 and Richard Neutra to Thaddeus Longstreth, April 4, 1961, in
Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra Papers, UCLA Library Department of Special Collections.
University of California, Los Angeles. The text of the letter reads “Dear Thad, Thank you for sending me the
pictures of the Hassrick house. I am not too delighted about these heavily framed panels, but I suppose and hope
they could be removed when a photograph is being taken, which we should do someday.”
29
George Nakashima, Order Invoice, February 28, 1959, invoice for woodwork billed to Kenneth Hassrick, George
Nakashima Woodworker, New Hope, Pennsylvania. The work cost the Hassricks $375.00, which equates to just
over $3,100.00 at the time of writing.
30
Soomi Amagasu, Interview by Kevin T. King, Jr. and Christopher Murnin, Personal Interview, New Hope, PA,
June 10, 2017.
HASSRICK HOUSE
Craft and Labor

Selected because he had submitted the lowest construction bid on the house, George
Newman eventually proved to be relatively slow and incompetent as a builder. A note
from Neutra to the contractor just two months after his selection already admonished
Newman for delays to the project. By the time the Hassricks moved in, sometime
between November of 1958 and February of 1959, George Newman had left the job
unfinished and moved to Florida. 31 His replacement was Walter Hoinski, an old associate
of Newman, who was tasked with finishing up “odds and ends” in the project. Although
the project was delayed due to Newman’s “shenannegans [sic]”, the Hassricks were
ultimately satisfied with Hoinski’s work. 32
5. Original plans and construction:
The initial requirements the Hassricks gave to Richard Neutra were that their house “1/
work efficiently, 2/ pleasure the eye, 3/ comfort the soul and 4/ warm the heart.” 33 In
typical Neutra fashion, the architect returned with a pinwheel-type plan, with wings
radiating not from the hearth, as in the works of his teacher Frank Lloyd Wright, but
instead from the kitchen. 34
Decisions were made early in the project to change the grade of the home in two
locations: to raise the studio (now the dining room) several steps, and to lower the master
bedroom several steps. This change in grade was implemented as both a way to save
money on regrading the site and also to improve spatial relationships within the home. 35
The laundry room, which now serves as the private entry to the home from the carport,
was originally intended to be a covered walkway between the house and the carport. This
feature is extant in several of Neutra’s West Coast houses, but the Hassricks requested
that it be changed to an enclosed laundry area. 36
The office area was originally conceived to also house a cage for the Hassricks’ pet
31
Thaddeus Longstreth to Richard Neutra, February 21, 1959 and March 27, 1959, in Collection 1179: Box 820,
Folders 5 & 6. Neutra Papers, UCLA Library Department of Special Collections. University of California, Los
Angeles.
32
Dorothy Serulnic to Thaddeus Longstreth, February 15, 1959 and Longstreth to Neutra, February 21, 1959 and
March 27, 1959, in Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra Papers, UCLA Library Department of Special
33
Hassrick to Neutra, December 18, 1956 and Hauser, “Philly Neutra Part 3.”
34
James Doerfler, “Modernism and Neutra,” Lecture, Philadelphia University, Philadelphia, PA, June 15, 2017.
35
Richard Neutra to Thaddeus Longstreth, February 9, 1957, in Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra
36
Thaddeus Longstreth to Richard Neutra, March 25, 1957, in Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra
HASSRICK HOUSE
monkey. The monkey died soon after the Hassricks moved in; a built-in couch now
occupies this space. 37
Up two steps from the office was the original workshop, which had been enclosed from
the office by a wall and door. This area and portions of the home further up the grade
have undergone changes since the home’s original construction.
6. Alterations and additions:
Neutra’s Second Workshop

In a manner of only months after the family moved in, Kenneth Hassrick began to
reevaluate the use of the workshop Neutra had originally included for him. Thaddeus
Longstreth, after meeting with the Hassricks, communicated to Neutra that the couple
wanted to once again commission the architect, this time to build “a studio about 18’x30’
adjacent to the workshop.” 38
Discussion of the specific nature of the addition took two more months. Longstreth
submitted to Neutra two sketches for the addition, the first a one-story construction which
omitted a garage, but included in its scope an enclosure of the carport for both the
couple’s original and new Bugatti. Longstreth’s second proposal was a two-story
addition, including a garage for both cars. Neutra suggested that this addition might be
separate from the main house, so as not to impact his original design, but Longstreth
reminded him that this was not feasible under the Philadelphia Building Code. 39 Neutra
ceded to these restrictions, even musing that the two-story, connected addition may add
“an interesting accent of height” to his existing building. 40 It was the two-story addition
that was eventually built, with the caveat that “[t]he garage door, the upper windows and
the panel in between must become one panel for appearance…” 41 The second floor of the
addition, though enclosed, is reminiscent of the exterior living space Neutra often
included in his houses – most notable in the Kaufmann Desert House (1946) – which he
called a gloriette.
George Nakashima, Woodworker

While Barbara Hassrick wanted a modern, open floor plan leading from kitchen to living
room, she also wanted to be able to close the kitchen off from the rest of the space when
37
Longstreth to Neutra, February 21, 1959, in Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra Papers, UCLA
Library Department of Special Collections. University of California, Los Angeles. Longstreth informed Neutra that
after the monkey died, the Hassricks removed the cage and “that area of the house is a ‘no-man’s-land.’”
38
Thaddeus Longstreth to Richard Neutra, August 8, 1959, in Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra
39
Thaddeus Longstreth to Richard Neutra, October 17, 1959, in Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra
40
Richard Neutra to Thaddeus Longstreth, October 19, 1959, in Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra
41
Neutra to Longstreth, October 19, 1959.
HASSRICK HOUSE
necessary; she termed this her “kitchen closing off problem.” 42 Her letter to Richard
Neutra in April of 1961 expressed her joy at finally finding a solution. Though not
explicitly stated in the letter, this solution was the Hassricks’ hiring of master
woodworker George Nakashima to build movable panels to separate the spaces.
Nakashima also designed a “floating credenza” and a sculpture above the front door. 43
Irwin Stein’s Commission

By May of 1961 – only nineteen months after Neutra’s two-story addition was conceived
– Kenneth Hassrick again needed an expanded metalworking studio. This time, however,
the Hassricks called on local architect Irwin Stein. Though different stylistically from
Neutra’s work, Stein’s “900-square-foot, gable-roof workshop/studio…was intentionally
positioned so that it is not visible from the front elevation.” 44
B. Historical Context
The Transformation of East Falls, Philadelphia from Old Money Estates to Suburbia
Much of the development in East Falls before the early twentieth century was reserved to the
southeast of School House Lane, one of the oldest roads in the area. Tracts of land here were
divided into narrow, deep parcels; those to the north of the lane often stretched as far back as
the Wissahickon Creek. School House Lane was often used as an impromptu dividing line,
used to denote the change from East Falls (then, called Falls of Schuylkill) to the south and
east to Roxborough to the north and west. As a result of this boundary condition,
improvement and construction of new roads from the city often stopped at School House
Lane and overall development was slower to impact the property here.
The specific tract of land on which the Hassrick House sits remained consistent for nearly
two centuries before the Hassricks received their three acres. Since before 1875, the Allison
tract – owned originally by William Allison and later by the beneficiaries of his estate – has
contained the same two structures, though modified over time: a stone dwelling with frame
wraparound porch and a stone stable, also with a frame porch facing School House Lane. 45
Both structures are extant today on the campus of Philadelphia University. 46
42
Hassrick to Neutra, April 1, 1961.
43
Hauser, “Philly Neutra, Part 3.” See Section 4: Materials for additional information about Nakashima’s
woodwork.
44
Hauser, “Philly Neutra, Part 2.”
45
Greater Philadelphia GeoHistory Network, “Plate J,” Map, in City Atlas of Philadelphia, Vol. 2, Wards 21 and 28,
1875, Vol. 2, PA: G.M. Hopkins, 1875; Historic Map Works, LLC, “Plate 013,” Map, in Philadelphia 1884 Wards
21 and 28, PA: G.M. Hopkins, 1884; Historic Map Works, LLC, “Plate 014,” Map, in Philadelphia 1892 Vol 12
Ward 21, Vol. 12, PA: G.W. Bromley and Co., 1892; Greater Philadelphia GeoHistory Network, “Plate 32,” Map, in
Atlas of the City of Philadelphia, 1895, PA: G.W. Bromley and Co., 1895; Greater Philadelphia GeoHistory
Network, “Plate 32,” Map, in Atlas of the City of Philadelphia, 1910, PA: G.W. Bromley and Co., 1910; and
Historic Map Works, LLC, “Plate 011,” Map, in Philadelphia 1911 Ward 21, PA: Elvino V. Smith, 1911.
46
The stone dwelling is today known as Haggar Hall, and houses the Academic Success Center on the campus of
Philadelphia University. Though several of the home’s eaves and both of its porches have been removed, the core of
HASSRICK HOUSE
The 1920s saw the beginnings of changes to the property, when a right-of-way was cut along
the eastern property line to a rear tract belonging to E. Burk Estabrook. Construction on the
right-of-way – later to be paved and called Cherry Lane – and on a two-story home at the rear
of the property – for the Estabrooks, called “Lane’s End” – had commenced by 1929. 47
At Barbara Estabrook’s wedding to Kenneth Hassrick, the new couple was gifted a three-acre
tract of land along Cherry Lane, on which they commissioned Richard Neutra to build their
home. 48
Richard Neutra and Modernism
Richard Neutra, a leading modernist who, along with Rudolph Schindler, worked under
Frank Lloyd Wright, was a leading proponent of linking architecture and nature. 49 Terming
this phenomenon “biorealism,” Neutra’s idea of its principle function was to enhance the
health of a building’s occupants. 50 Many of his commissions were single-family homes, the
first of which was the Lovell (Health) House in Los Angeles. This early experiment paired
modern materials with a focus on the relationship between inside and out in order to improve
the health of the occupants. The result of this and further experiments was a “truly
‘functional’ architecture,” known as modernism. 51
Modernism, a movement spanning approximately from 1933 to 1965, encompassed all visual
arts in addition to architecture and emphasized clean lines, minimalism, a lack of ornament,
and functional spaces. 52 Oftentimes, the design of modernist buildings began with an
organizational grid from which space was extruded into three dimensions, pulled, shifted,
and overlapped. These tenets are seen both in Neutra’s work and the work of his
contemporaries, including Rudolph Schindler, Charles and Ray Eames, Craig Ellwood, and
Pierre Koenig. The primary difference between Neutra and these other architects, however,
was Neutra’s focus on off-the-shelf parts in an effort to save time, money, and material. 53
the building remains similar to its original layout. The stone stable is currently known as Art Center 2 on the campus
of Philadelphia University, and has been modified to serve as art studios on the first floor and an apartment above.
However, relics from its prior use as a stable or shed are still extant on its rear elevation.
47
Greater Philadelphia GeoHistory Network, “Plate 11,” Map, in Atlas of the 21st Ward, Philadelphia, Penna., 1929,
PA: Frank H.M. Klinge, 1929 (upd. 1945) and ProQuest, Inc., “Sheet 00541,” Map, in Philadelphia 1916 – May
1951, Vol. 20, 1923 – June 1950, Philadelphia, PA: Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company, 1950.
48
Acosta.
49
The Museum of Modern Art, “Richard Neutra,” The Museum of Modern Art, http://www.moma.org/artists/4277.
50
The Los Angeles Conservancy, “Richard Neutra,” The Los Angeles Conservancy,
https://www.laconservancy.org/architects/Richard-neutra.
51
Society of Architectural Historians.
52
The Getty. “Art & Architecture Thesaurus Full Record Display (Getty Research),” The Getty, N.p.; n.d, Web, 11
June 2017, http://www.getty.edu/vow/AATFullDisplay?find=Mid-
Century+Modern&logic=AND&note=&english=N&prev_page=1&subjectid=300343610.
53
Doerfler.
HASSRICK HOUSE
In his Unity Temple and Martin, Robie, and Barnsdall Houses, Neutra’s teacher Frank Lloyd
Wright perfected the art of sliding spaces, slipping edges, and bleeding the boundary between
inside and outside. Schindler practiced creating the thinnest possible screen, creating outdoor
spaces which were inhabitable as rooms, while Charles and Ray Eames built a practice on
modularity and repetition. It was Richard Neutra who brought these principles together
through his work, particularly in his VDL Studio and Residences (1932 and 1964) and
Kaufmann Desert House (1946). 54 These tenets – blending inside and outside, shifting and
slipping spaces, and utilizing modular, off-the-shelf elements – also made their way into the
Hassrick House.
Part II: Architectural Information
A. General Statement:
1. Architectural character:
Thanks to the dedication of current owners George Acosta and John Hauser, the Hassrick
House has been restored as close to its original state as possible, giving historians and
researchers an excellent idea of the character of the original home. Richard Neutra’s
unique adaptation of modernism is unusual in its East Coast context, primarily for its
inclusion of large expanses of glass and relative lack of insulation.
Neutra can be commended for successfully implementing his signature design strategies,
even on a strict budget. His forward-thinking, unique method of design and construction
– designing with material and cost constraints in mind from the beginning, sourcing local
materials, and using off-the-shelf, common architectural elements – not only saved the
Hassricks money, but also proved that modernism was both widely available and
financially feasible.
Beyond its unique physical design and financial considerations, Neutra placed particular
emphasis on designing the home to be experiential in nature. To this end, he employed
strategies such as placing mirrors in strategic locations – at the east wall of the living
room, adjacent to the entry – in order to create a quality of infinite space extending in
multiple directions, as well as carefully studying the locations of trees and other plantings
so as to gauge their impact on the view from the interior to the exterior of the home.
A rare example of an East Coast project by Neutra, the Hassrick House exemplifies the
architect’s creation of his own unique brand of modernism and contributes significantly
to the character of its neighborhood and the larger Philadelphia architectural canon.
54
Doerfler.
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2. Condition of fabric: exterior: good; interior: very good
B. Description of Exterior:
1. Overall dimensions:
The dimensions of the original home, without the two-story Neutra addition or workshop
Stein addition, were as follows: 78’-3” in the short direction, running northwest to
southeast, and 85’-7” in the long direction, running northeast to southwest.
The inclusion of both additions brings the overall measurements to 110’-6” in the short
direction and 138’-0” in the long direction.
The home is 9’-7” in height on the main living level, 19’-11” in height at the two-story
addition, and 18’-5” in height at the Irwin Stein addition.
2. Foundations:
A floor framing plan drawing dated July 22, 1957 notes several types of spread footing
foundations as well as the location of the original floor slabs. Most foundation walls
support either Bethayres block or glazed wall construction on 16” thick block foundation,
under which a continuous concrete footing was poured. Exceptions to this pattern include
interior partitions, which are supported on 12” block foundations above a poured footing,
and the unique condition in the master bedroom which features a change in grade, whose
foundation wall is unique. 55
3. Walls:
Exterior walls are constructed of Bethayres block, a locally-produced type of Concrete

Masonry Unit (CMU), in colors ranging from grey to pink. 56 The coursing of the
Bethayres block is staggered. In select locations, large glazing panels substitute solid
walls. 57
Southeastern Façade: The southeastern exposure can be distinctly separated into four
55
Richard Neutra and Thaddeus Longstreth, Foundation and Floor Framing: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth
R. Hassrick, School House Lane, Philadelphia, PA, July 22, 1957, Thaddeus Longstreth Archives, University of
Pennsylvania. A note on the drawing reads: “Wherever footings extend thru [sic] filler ground, the _____ shall
penetrate at least 12” below undisturbed soil, or 14” below fresh grade, whichever is lower. All foundation bearing
walls shall be solid block reinforced with 16” “[illegible],” every other course, [illegible] on exterior side & covered
with a [illegible] coating. All anchor bolts where [illegible] sills occur shall be [illegible] O.C. + 12 [illegible] from
all [illegible.”
56
See Section 4: Materials for additional information about Bethayres block.
57
Though they are mentioned here in regard to wall construction, Section 7B will contain more detailed descriptions
of glazing enclosures.
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parts: the low, three-bayed metalworking addition, by Irwin Stein; the two-story addition,
by Richard Neutra; the private entry and rear carport wall, part of the original design; and
the façade of the playroom and children’s bedrooms, also original.
The southeastern façade of Stein’s addition measures 8’-0” from its foundation to the
bottom of the eave, and is separated into three bays by exterior walls of Bethayres block
running perpendicular to the axis of the façade. Each bay originally contained two large
sliding panels of glass; only the interior four of six are extant. Neutra’s façade of
uninterrupted Bethayres block rises 19’-11” from its own foundation, which is higher
than that of Stein’s, to the top of its parapet.
The carport wall consists of a series of sliding wooden doors hiding mechanical
equipment and other storage. At the entry, a Bethayres block wall rises 9’-0” from the
soldier-coursed brick entry patio to the bottom of the eave. This wall is interrupted by a
door and two windows, all framed in wood. Disturbances in the wall under the windows
have been patched with Bethayres block in a different coursing pattern. The roughly 2’-
0” by 2’-0” opening above a soldier-coursed brick sill plate speaks to a potential opening
in this location at one time.
Behind the Stein addition is the original southeast exposure of the house, along the
playroom and two children’s bedrooms. The playroom features three large planes of
glass, while along the children’s bedrooms, a 3’-9” tall, plastered-over Bethayres block
wall separates a row of windows from grade.
Northeastern Façade: The northeastern exposure of the house is the opaquest of all four.
Visually, it can be divided into five planes progressing or receding in space: the two-story
addition façade; the side wall of the carport; two planar faces at the public entry; and the
larger plane along the master bedroom.
The two-story portion of the façade contains an overhead garage door and ordinary
exterior door at grade, a row of windows at the second level, and a panel of vertical
wooden slats in between.
The side wall of the carport is an uninterrupted plane of staggered Bethayres block, 24’-
2” long, visually appearing to float in front of the home. The rear wall at the entry has
been plastered over, while the wall along the entry hall is again an uninterrupted plane of
staggered Bethayres block, 10’-1” long.
The largest of the northeast-facing planes is that along the master bedroom, which
stretches a total of 25’-6” in length. The first 22’-0” of the wall are, again, made of
uninterrupted staggered Bethayres block, while the final 3’-6” is a full-height glazing
panel.
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Northwestern Façade: The northwestern façade of the house is by far the most
transparent of all four, and is divided visually into three sections: the living and dining
area, the master bedroom, and the child’s bedroom.
The façade at the living and dining area consists solely of a forty-foot long, floor-to-
ceiling window wall. At the master bedroom, similar floor-to-ceiling glazing also allows
for continuity of view from inside to out. Centered on the Bethayres block wall of the
child’s bedroom is a modern pair of sliding glass doors, of which the leftmost door opens.
Behind the bedroom wing, the northwestern façade of Irwin Stein’s addition consists of
four Bethayres block walls framing three bays, identical to those on the southern façade
save for their depths. However, the connection of this addition into the Neutra addition
was done in such a way that there is a small, odd bay of glazing (measuring 2’-6” by 7’-
1”) on this interfacing portion.
Adjacent each outermost Bethayres block wall is a door; strips of windows run
continuously from the door to the next column, as well as across the center bay. Below
the windows, original Bethayres block construction has been plastered over to a height of
5’-1”, where the plaster stops at a wooden sill with integral drip edge, painted with an
aluminum finish.
Southwestern Façade: The southwestern exposure of the home appears visually as four
planes: at the master bedroom, the child’s bedroom and playroom; the kitchen and office
area; and the Irwin Stein addition.
The master bedroom wall consists of 6’-9” of exposed Bethayres block stretching from
grade to the bottom of a row of windows. The wall at the child’s bedroom and playroom
hosts 3’-9” of exposed Bethayres block from grade to the bottom of a row of windows.
At the kitchen area, two sliding glass doors and a third large window stretch from grade
to the bottom elevation of the main structural beam, whose depth is 0’-9” below the eave
in this location. Where the monkey cage once was, and the office is currently, an expanse
of 6’-9” of plastered-over Bethayres block rises from grade to the bottom of a row of
windows. On Irwin Stein’s addition, the southwestern façade is the gable end. Above 7’-
1” of exposed Bethayres block rises another 9’-6” of glazing following the slope of the
gable to its peak.
4. Structural systems, framing:
For the majority of the main living space, floor construction consists of ¾” plywood over
joists spaced 16” on center. This differs only in the original workshop (now the dining
room) which has a concrete slab floor.
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Exterior walls are constructed of load-bearing Bethayres block. Interior walls are of two
types – either of exposed Bethayres block (as in the kitchen/office area) or constructed of
nominal studs faced with drywall (as in interior bedroom walls).
A beam running across the kitchen and living room threatened to disrupt the clean,
uncluttered appearance of the home. Neutra and Longstreth decided on a construction of
three 2x16” joists, sistered and bolted together, to carry the load of this 18’-0” span. 58 To
disguise this beam, Neutra and Longstreth decided to create a feature ceiling, containing
cove lighting, which extended over the sliding glass doors to the exterior. 59 This beam is
supported on pipe columns – two which are visible running through the kitchen cabinetry,
as well as one more hidden in a wall – whose loads are transmitted into the ground using
individual spread footings.
5. Porches, stoops, balconies, porticoes, bulkheads: Two exterior “rooms” are created
through the placement of flagstone patios. The first, just outside of the living room,
allows the brick from the inside hearth to bleed to the exterior of the home. It also
includes randomly-sized and -shaped flagstone which steps down the grade to the master
bedroom. The second, stretching along the exterior of the bedrooms and playroom,
consists of flagstone cut with regular, perpendicular edges, but in varying sizes.
6. Chimneys: One chimney, located to the far northeast of the home adjacent to the entry
and the living room, is made of Bethayres block, rising approximately 4’-0” above the
roof plane and capped with a metal grate.
7. Openings:
a. Doorways and doors:
Southeastern Façade: Two doors and two sets of sliding glass panels are oriented
toward the southeast: the private entry, public entry, Irwin Stein addition, and
playroom exterior access. The doors at the private and public entry measure 2’-8”
wide by 6’-9” tall. The sliding panels on Irwin Stein’s addition each measure 5’-6”
wide by 7’-1” tall, while those at the playroom measure 4’-0” wide by 7’-8” tall.
Northeastern Façade: The northeast façade contains an overhead garage door and
one exterior door, both at grade and accessible from the gravel driveway. The
overhead door measures 14’-10” in length and 6’-8” in height, and the entry door is
3’-0” wide by 6’-8” high. A pair of double doors, 4’-10 ¼” wide and topped with a
58
Richard Neutra to Thaddeus Longstreth, June 3, 1957, in Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra Papers,
UCLA Library Department of Special Collections. University of California, Los Angeles.
59
Thaddeus Longstreth to Richard Neutra, July 20, 1957 and Dorothy Serulnic to Thaddeus Longstreth, July 24,
1957, in Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra Papers, UCLA Library Department of Special
HASSRICK HOUSE
2’-0” high transom vent, leads to the heater room.
Northwestern Façade: Two pairs of sliding glass panels, one pair of modern sliding
glass doors, and two modern storm doors face toward the northwest. At the living and
dining room, the center two of the four glazing bays were once able to open; the
hardware has deteriorated in condition such that this is no longer possible. Sliding
panels at the master bedroom measure 4’-3” wide by 7’-10” tall, while the modern
sliding patio doors at the child’s bedroom measure 3’-0” wide by 7’-0” tall.
Southwestern Façade: The only door opening on this façade is that at the kitchen,
where two sliding doors, recently replaced in-kind, measure 4’-0” wide by 7’-8” tall.
b. Windows and shutters:
Aside from the large, often sliding window walls, the majority of the windows on the
Hassrick House are either fixed or casement. Fixed windows are typically frameless
and set in rabbited posts atop knee walls, or are located as clerestory windows.
Casement windows are set into steel frames, reducing the effective size of the panel
by approximately 1.5” on all sides. All windows in the home consist of single pane
glazing, with the exception of the replacement sliding glass doors at the kitchen.
Southeastern Façade: Each large window on the Irwin Stein addition is the same
measurement as its sliding counterpart, 5’-6” wide by 7’-1” tall.
Windows at the private entry are framed in wood; additional framing above the
doorway suggests the previous installation of a transom.
Windows at the children’s bedrooms are composed of a combination of fixed and

casement windows, symmetric about the interior wall separating the bedrooms. Each
casement window measures 1’-4” wide by 4’-0” tall; the fixed windows vary in
length but are the same height.
Northeastern Façade: Above the overhead garage door and a 4’-0” high panel of
bead board are windows alternating from fixed to casement.
Northwestern Façade: Windows on the northwest façade of Irwin Stein’s addition

follow a similar pattern. Those at the first and third bay contain a fixed window in the
center of the door to one side. Those in the middle bay are a central fixed window
flanked on each side by a single casement. The height of these windows is 2’-3”.
Southwestern Façade: At the master bedroom wall, the row of windows contains
two fixed panels followed by a casement window and then another fixed panel. The
height of these windows is 2’-0”.
HASSRICK HOUSE
Windows at the office and dining room measure 2’-0” tall and alternate with two sets
of two casement windows placed symmetrically between three fixed panels.
8. Roof:
Excepting the Irwin Stein addition and a parapet on Neutra’s two-story addition, the
entirety of the home has a flat roof. The roof construction was specified to consist of four
layers of built-up tar and felt with a 24 gauge, crimped, galvanized iron sheet metal
gravel guard and stainless steel fascia. 60
Three primary protrusions interrupt the roof structure: one Bethayres block chimney (see
Section 6: Chimneys) and two metal exhaust pipes with “hat”-type covers. There are also
several smaller sewer and vent pipes which poke through the roof at various locations.
The stack and ventilation system for the metalworking studio has been removed.
Neutra’s stainless steel gutters do not end in downspouts, but instead cantilever from the
house with open ends. Water shed from the roof cascades onto strategically-placed quartz
stones located under each gutter end.
Stein’s roof is gabled with flat eaves on the north and south elevations. The roof
construction is irregular, consisting of singular 2x16” joists spaced at 24” on center. The
enclosure is made of a double-skin layer of Plexiglas, which has had many maintenance
and cleaning issues since its installation.61
C. Description of Interior: The interior of the home has been meticulously restored thanks to
the dedication and thoroughness of the home’s current owners. Using historic photographs
and the Neutra and Longstreth letters, the pair was able to restore the home to a state very
close to original, even commissioning recreated features when necessary to replace those
which no longer existed in the home.
1. Floor plans:
As is typical of Richard Neutra’s work, the plan of the Hassrick House resembles a
pinwheel, radiating from the kitchen as its center. Public entry is to the northwest of the
carport, around a corner and under a low pergola. The front door opens into an entry hall
with a coat closet to the right. Around the corner to the left, the compressed space
instantly expands to the open living and dining room, framed to the right by the sliding
glass window wall. Behind the dining area is the kitchen, opening onto an interior
60
“Outline Specifications for the Kenneth Hassrick Residence,” in Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra
61
Acosta.
HASSRICK HOUSE
courtyard. The kitchen counter extends to the southeast to create a linear office space.
Behind the kitchen is the private entry hall connecting the kitchen to the carport via a
laundry room.
Ahead of the living and dining room is a hall off of which are four bedrooms and a
playroom. To the left are two mirrored bedrooms, originally for two of the Hassrick
children, and at the end of the hall are a playroom to the left – out of sight of the main
living space – and the third child’s bedroom to the right. To the right are the master
bedroom, the guest bathroom, and two original teak accordion-doored closet.
In the master bedroom, a landing leads two steps down to a lower grade. A closet to the
right of the landing precedes additional closets running the length of the northeast wall of
the bedroom. To the left is the master bathroom, just past which the space opens up to
accommodate the bedroom furniture. The far wall of the master bedroom consists of three
floor-to-ceiling glass panels, two of which open to the property beyond. At the end of the
office, two steps up separate the dining room, once Kenneth Hassrick’s studio, from the
main grade of the home. A newly-installed wet bar is to the left behind the wall.
Through the rear door of the dining room are a staircase to the left, two doors ahead – one
to the garage and one to a closet – and Irwin Stein’s metalworking addition to the right.
The staircase leads to the second floor of the addition, which is one large space currently
used as a media room. This room is reminiscent of the gloriette – second floor balcony –
which Neutra often included in his projects, but it has been adapted from an exterior
space, as in the architect’s southeast works, to an interior one, in the climatically different
East Coast. Over the stairs is a bathroom, and beyond is a drywall opening to the balcony
in the Stein addition.
2. Stairways: A carpeted stair containing thirteen risers is the only stairway in the home.
The stair connects the original workshop and garage to the second floor sleeping area.
3. Flooring:
Much of the main living space is covered in blonde cork tile flooring. At select perimeter
locations of the cork are 3/8” stainless steel expansion joints. Unfortunately, the original
cork was too deteriorated upon the 2008 purchase to be salvaged, but the owners
carefully selected a close match for the replacement.
The hearth, which also extends into the entryway and out to the yard, is laid of 2 ½” by
8” sailor-coursed, dark red brick with 3/8” mortar joints.
The floor of the former workshop (now dining room) once featured green porcelain tile,
HASSRICK HOUSE
but has since been covered with the same replacement cork as the living space. 62
The bedrooms are carpeted; whether this carpet is original is doubtful, due to the
condition of the home when acquired by the current owners. The bathrooms in the home
have all been refinished using modern amenities, but material choices were sensitive so
as to appeal to a mid-century sensibility.
4. Wall and ceiling finish:
Exposed Bethayres block can be seen in the original workshop, the office, and the
laundry and entry corridor. Most interior walls have been covered with drywall or plaster.
Three sides of the fireplace have been plastered, leaving only the corner pilaster of 4”
Bethayres block exposed. A large mirror, original to the home, exists at the end of the
public entry. This mirror creates an effect of infinitely extending the perception of space
when one stands in front of the sliding glass doors in the living room. Original teak
accordion closet doors, manufactured by Pella, are extant in both the entry and bedroom
hallways.
The ceilings in the living and dining room, entry, and lowermost plane of the master
bedroom feature 3” tongue-and-groove clear-coated cedar, while those in the original
workshop, kitchen, laundry room, all three bedrooms, playroom, and the remainder of the
master bedroom are faced with Luan plywood panels. In the laundry room, bedroom
hallway, and master bedroom, Neutra chose to wrap the Luan panel to the top of the
windows.
On the second floor of the Neutra addition, walls covered in drywall terminate at a
tongue-and-groove ceiling similar to that in the living room. From the top of the staircase,
the ceiling boards runs parallel to, and continue beyond, the windows, to the bottom of
the exterior eave. The ceiling drops 0’-6” at the top of the stairs (and flush with the
wooden built-in cabinetry) and, after the drop, the ceiling pattern runs perpendicular to
the windows.
5. Openings
a. Doorways and doors: Interior doors took more damage during the home’s vacancy
than did other parts of the home. As a result, many of them have been replaced,
repaired, or repainted.
b. Windows: There is only one interior window: a transom at the entrance to the
original playroom. This transom, sitting atop a cased opening which once held a door,
speaks to the enclosure of the playroom and guest room into one suite by a previous
62
“61,” Dining Room, 4130 Cherry Lane, Philadelphia, PA, photograph by George Acosta, June 30, 2008.
HASSRICK HOUSE
owner.
6. Decorative features and trim: The home features original woodwork crafted by George
Nakashima custom for the Hassrick family. The master woodworker, from New Hope,
Pennsylvania, designed a sliding door case for the Hassricks, as well as at least one other
wooden sculpture. 63 Other wood features include two original accordion-fold closet doors
manufactured by Pella. 64
7. Hardware: Most door and window hardware is typical of the time and is not especially
notable. However, the wheel hardware on the sliding glass doors in the living room
appears to be specifically designed for this project and is unique.
8. Mechanical equipment:
Heating, air conditioning, ventilation: Original specifications for the home’s HVAC
system call for “warm-air duct heating,” with a caveat to provide for the future
installation of air conditioning when the Hassricks could afford it. 65 Additional
ventilation was allowed for in the form of two crawlspace vents, though it does not
appear it was ever installed. 66
Lighting: Original lights, in a rounded conical shape, are still extant on the exterior.
Electricity: One original light switch is present in the bedroom hallway; it is mounted at
a height which would have easily allowed the Hassrick children to operate the lights.
9. Original furnishings: Doors and cabinets built-in to the kitchen were constructed of
plywood with a veneer finish, stained Phillipine Mahogany. Aside from furniture, the
Hassricks decorated with paintings by Alexander Calder, a classic Eames Chair in the
living room, and a white Bengal tiger rug in the master bedroom. 67 The current owners
have replaced the Calder painting with a wall hanging of a similar aesthetic, and have
included a Calder sculpture in the dining room. The current Eames chair is not original to
the home, but is authentic.
63
Nakashima.
64
See A. Physical Description, Section 4: Workmen and Materials Suppliers for more information about George
Nakashima.
65
Thaddeus Longstreth to Richard Neutra, 11 July 1957, in Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra Papers,
66
Richard Neutra to Thaddeus Longstreth, 24 July 1957, in Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra Papers,
67
Acosta.
HASSRICK HOUSE
D. Site:
1. Historic landscape design: Integral to Richard Neutra’s design philosophy was the
relationship between inside and outside. As such, the design of the Hassrick site was
integral to Neutra’s work in East Falls. While the Hassricks’ budget was not sufficient to
include exclusive landscaping, it is rumored that Neutra sketched out how the ideal
landscape around the Hassricks’ house should look.
The Hassrick House site is a gently sloping, park-like lawn full of mature trees and
surrounded by a mix of bamboo and other invasive plants. Plantings are more spread out
further from the house, while ground cover and manicured beds are typical adjacent to
exterior walls. Ground cover includes pachysandra and several types of grasses.
Several silver maple trees most likely predate the house. Other trees on the property,
consistent in age with the construction date of the house, include sugar maple, white pine,
ash, hemlock, oak, and elm varieties. 68
Consistent with the inside-outside design approach, tree saplings planted along the
structural grid of the home essentially continue the column line of the walls to the
exterior. Age and growth patterns have offset the trees from a true alignment; however,
the phenomenon is clearly evident. At the master bedroom, when standing inside the
home, the reflection of the bedroom wall in the glass lines up almost exactly with the line
of two trees beyond – both Chinese elm. Additionally, a specimen tree lies on the line in
between the carport and the main block of the home.
Later modifications to the landscape include grading and installation of a pool to the
extreme northwest of the site by the Sawyer family. 69
68
Alexey Goodkov, Interview by Kevin T. King, Jr., Personal Interview, June 13, 2017.
69
Acosta.
HASSRICK HOUSE
Part III: Sources of Information
A. Architectural drawings:
Neutra, Richard and Thaddeus Longstreth. Elevations: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth
R. Hassrick, School House Lane, Philadelphia, PA, July 22, 1957. Thaddeus Longstreth
Archives, University of Pennsylvania.
Neutra, Richard and Thaddeus Longstreth. Floor Plan: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth
R. Hassrick, School House Lane, Philadelphia, PA, July 22, 1957. Thaddeus Longstreth
Neutra, Richard and Thaddeus Longstreth. Foundation and Floor Framing: Residence for
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth R. Hassrick, School House Lane, Philadelphia, PA, July 22, 1957.
Thaddeus Longstreth Archives, University of Pennsylvania.
Neutra, Richard and Thaddeus Longstreth. Roof Framing Plan: Residence for Mr. and Mrs.
Kenneth R. Hassrick, School House Lane, Philadelphia, PA, July 22, 1957. Thaddeus
Longstreth Archives, University of Pennsylvania.
Neutra, Richard and Thaddeus Longstreth. Sections: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth R.
Hassrick, School House Lane, Philadelphia, PA, July 22, 1957. Thaddeus Longstreth
Neutra, Richard and Thaddeus Longstreth. Plot Plan: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth R.
Hassrick, School House Lane, Philadelphia, PA, July 22, 1957. Thaddeus Longstreth
Stein, Irwin J. and David G. Rowland. Site Plan: Studio for Mr. Kenneth R. Hassrick, 3033
West School House La, Philadelphia, PA, March 21, 1961.
B. Maps and Photographs:
“61,” Dining Room, 4130 Cherry Lane, Philadelphia, PA. Photograph by George Acosta.
June 30, 2008.
“121,” Studio, 4130 Cherry Lane, Philadelphia, PA. Photograph by George Acosta. June 30,
2008.
“125,” Eave on Studio Addition, 4130 Cherry Lane, Philadelphia, PA. Photograph by George
Acosta. December 16, 2008.
HASSRICK HOUSE
“150,” Exterior of 4130 Cherry Lane, Philadelphia, PA. In Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders
5 & 6. Neutra Papers, UCLA Library Department of Special Collections. University of
California, Los Angeles.
City of Philadelphia. “4126 Cherry Lane.” Map. In Parcel Explorer. PA: Phila.gov 2017.
City of Philadelphia. “4130 Cherry Lane.” Map. In Parcel Explorer. PA: Phila.gov 2017.
City of Philadelphia. “4130 Cherry Lane Parcel 2.” Map. In Parcel Explorer. PA: Phila.gov
2017.
Great Buildings. “Richard Neutra.” Artifice, Inc. 2013.
http://www.greatbuildings.com/architects/Richard_Neutra.html.
Greater Philadelphia GeoHistory Network. “Plate 11.” Map. In Atlas of the 21st Ward,
Philadelphia, Penna., 1929. PA: Frank H.M. Klinge, 1929 (upd. 1945).
Greater Philadelphia GeoHistory Network. “Plate 32.” Map. In Atlas of the City of
Philadelphia, 1895. PA: G.W. Bromley and Co., 1895.
Greater Philadelphia GeoHistory Network. “Plate 32.” Map. In Atlas of the City of
Philadelphia, 1910. PA: G.W. Bromley and Co., 1910.
Greater Philadelphia GeoHistory Network. “Plate J.” Map. In City Atlas of Philadelphia, Vol.
2, Wards 21 and 23, 1875. Vol. 2. PA: G.M. Hopkins, 1875.
Historic Map Works, LLC. “Plate 013.” Map. In Philadelphia 1884 Wards 21 and 28. PA:
G.M. Hopkins, 1884.
Historic Map Works, LLC. “Plate 011.” Map. In Philadelphia 1911 Vol 12 Ward 21. PA:
Elvino G. Smith, 1911.
Historic Map Works, LLC. “Plate 014.” Map. In Philadelphia 1892 Vol 12 Ward 21, Vol. 12.
PA: G.W. Bromley, 1892.
“IMG_3953.” Pointed Brick Wall at Public Entry of 4130 Cherry Lane, Philadelphia, PA.
Personal photograph by Kevin T. King, Jr. May 16, 2017.
“IMG_3955.” Hearth and Eames Chair, 4130 Cherry Lane, Philadelphia, PA. Personal
photograph by Kevin T. King, Jr.. May 16, 2017.
“IMG_3958” Walkway to Pool at 4130 Cherry Lane, Philadelphia, PA. Personal photograph
by Kevin T. King, Jr. May 16, 2017.
“IMG_4173.” Calder Wall Hanging in Dining Room at 4130 Cherry Lane, Philadelphia, PA.
“IMG_4214.” Former Opening at Private Entry to 4130 Cherry Lane, Philadelphia, PA.
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C. Interviews and Lectures:
Acosta, George. Various interviews by various students. Personal Interview. Philadelphia,

PA. June 2015 through June 2017.
Amagasu, Soomi. Interview by Kevin T. King, Jr. and Christopher Murnin. Personal
Interview. New Hope, PA. June 10, 2017.
Doerfler, James. “Modernism and Neutra.” Lecture. Philadelphia University, Philadelphia,
PA. June 15, 2017.
Goodkov, Alexey. Interview by Kevin T. King, Jr. Personal Interview. June 13, 2017.
D. Selected Sources:
Primary
Bethayres Concrete Block Company to Thaddeus Longstreth and Richard Neutra. December
29, 1956. In Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra Papers, UCLA Library
Department of Special Collections. University of California, Los Angeles.
Hassrick, Barbara E. to Richard Neutra. April 1, 1961. In Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders
Hassrick, Barbara E. to Richard Neutra. December 18, 1956. In Collection 1179: Box 820,
Folders 5 & 6. Neutra Papers, UCLA Library Department of Special Collections.
Lloyd A. Fry Roofing Company to Thaddeus Longstreth. January 30, 1957. In Collection
1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra Papers, UCLA Library Department of Special
Longstreth, Thaddeus to Richard Neutra. August 08, 1959. In Collection 1179: Box 820,
Longstreth, Thaddeus to Richard Neutra. December 17, 1956. In Collection 1179: Box 820,
HASSRICK HOUSE
Longstreth, Thaddeus to Richard Neutra. February 21, 1959. In Collection 1179: Box 820,
Longstreth, Thaddeus to Richard Neutra. February 29, 1959. In Collection 1179: Box 820,
Longstreth, Thaddeus to Richard Neutra. July 11, 1957. In Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders
Longstreth, Thaddeus to Richard Neutra. July 20, 1957. In Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders
Longstreth, Thaddeus to Richard Neutra. March 25, 1957. In Collection 1179: Box 820,
Longstreth, Thaddeus to Richard Neutra. March 27, 1959. In Collection 1179: Box 820,
Longstreth, Thaddeus to Richard Neutra. May 9, 1961. In Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders
Longstreth, Thaddeus to Richard Neutra. November 17, 1958. In Collection 1179: Box 820,
Longstreth, Thaddeus to Richard Neutra. November 22, 1957. In Collection 1179: Box 820,
Longstreth, Thaddeus to Richard Neutra. October 17, 1959. In Collection 1179: Box 820,
Longstreth, Thaddeus to Richard Neutra. October 19, 1959. In Collection 1179: Box 820,
HASSRICK HOUSE
Longstreth, Thaddeus to Richard Neutra. September 25, 1957. In Collection 1179: Box 820,
Nakashima, George. Order Invoice. February 29, 1959. Invoice for woodwork billed to
Kenneth Hassrick. George Nakashima Woodworker. New Hope, Pennsylvania.
Neutra, Richard to George Newman. April 14, 1958. In Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5
& 6. Neutra Papers, UCLA Library Department of Special Collections. University of
Neutra, Richard to Thaddeus Longstreth. April 4, 1961. In Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders
Neutra, Richard to Thaddeus Longstreth. February 9, 1961. In Collection 1179: Box 820,
Neutra, Richard to Thaddeus Longstreth. July 24, 1957. In Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders
Neutra, Richard to Thaddeus Longstreth. June 3, 1957. In Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders
Neutra, Richard to Thaddeus Longstreth. October 19, 1959. In Collection 1179: Box 820,
“Outline Specifications for the Kenneth Hassrick Residence,” in Collection 1179: Box 820,
Serulnic, Dorothy to Thaddeus Longstreth. February 15, 1959. In Collection 1179: Box 820,
Serulnic, Dorothy to Thaddeus Longstreth. January 10, 1958. In Collection 1179: Box 820,
Serulnic, Dorothy to Thaddeus Longstreth. July 24, 1957. In Collection 1179: Box 820,
HASSRICK HOUSE
Secondary
Athenaeum of Philadelphia, The. “Hassrick Residence.” Philadelphia Architects and

Buildings. https://www.philadelphiabuildings.org/pab/app/pj_display_map.cfm/12104.
Barrett, Franklin. “Franklin Barrett b. 1932: My Family.” Voices of the Valley (web log) 08
April 2013. http://www.lowermoreland.org/resources/2013-04-08-21-35-16/voices-of-
the-valley/434-franklin-barrett/file.
Getty, The. “Art & Architecture Thesaurus Full Record Display (Getty Research).” The
Getty. N.p.; n.d. Web. 11 June 2017,
http://www.getty.edu/vow/AATFullDisplay?find=Mid-
Century+Modern&logic=AND&note=&english=N&prev_page=1&subjectid=300343610
Hauser, John. “Philly Neutra, Part 1: An Opportunity Worth Seizing.” Atomic Ranch 08
August 2016.
Hauser, John. “Philly Neutra, Part 2: Channeling the Kaufmann House.” Atomic Ranch 10
August 2016.
Hauser, John. “Philly Neutra, Part 3: A Surprising Bit of Nakashima.” Atomic Ranch 12
August 2016.
Los Angeles Conservancy, The. “Richard Neutra.” The Los Angeles Conservancy.
http://www.laconservancy.org/architects/Richard-neutra.
Museum of Modern Art, The. “Richard Neutra.” The Museum of Modern Art.
http://www.moma.org/artists/4277.
Popkin, Nathaniel. “In This Month of Jane Jacobs, A Look at the “Philadelphia School” That
Inspired & Frustrated Her.” Hidden City Philadelphia (web log), May 11, 2016.
http://hiddencityphila.org/2016/05/in-this-month-of-jane-jacobs-a-look-at-the-
philadelphia-school-that-inspired-frustrated-her/
ProQuest, Inc. “Sheet 00541.” Map. In Philadelphia 1916 – May 1951. Vol. 20, 1923 – June
1950. Philadelphia, PA: Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company, 1950.
Society of Architectural Historians, Southern California Chapter. “Richard Neutra (1892-
1970).” Society of Architectural Historians/Southern California Chapter.
https://www.sahscc.org/site/index/php?function=architect_details&id=7.
Wakefield, Craig. “Homes by Irwin Stein.” Modern Homes Philadelphia 2012.
http://www.modernhoesphiladelphia.com/Irwin-stein-c20325.html.
Woolbright, Cynthia. “Five Books.” South Whidbey Record (Whidbey Island, Washington),
29 June 2005.
HASSRICK HOUSE
E. Likely sources not yet investigated: N/A.
F. Supplemental material: See Field Notes.
Part IV: Project Information
This project was completed by a multidisciplinary team of undergraduate and graduate students
enrolled in the College of Architecture and the Built Environment (C_ABE) at Philadelphia
University. The PhilaU campus is located in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, immediately adjacent to the Hassrick House. Students were offered unprecedented
access by the home’s gracious owners, John Hauser and George Acosta.
The course was instructed by Visiting Assistant Professor Andrew Hart. Guest lectures and other
resources were provided by Professor James Doerfler, AIA, Director of the B.Arch and M.Arch
programs; Dr. David M. Breiner, Associate Dean of C_ABE; Visiting Assistant Professor
Matthew Gindlesparger; and Professor James Querry, director of the M.S. in GeoDesign
program. Additional advice was provided by Adjunct Professor Alexey Goodkov, Allee Davis,
Benjamin Leech, Assistant Professor Jeffrey Kansler, Lynn Alpert, and Wesley Noonan-Seesa,
as well as peer review.
Participating students and their programs were as follows:

Saad Alarifi, M.S. Construction Management Anna Ayik, B.Architecture
Mohammed Alghamdi, M.S. Construction Ronaldo de Luna, M.Architecture
Management Brittany Ewing, B.Architecture
Othman Alghannam, M.S. Construction Mansi Gandhi, M.S. Interior Architecture
Management Shahab Javan, M.S. Interior Architecture
Hussain Aljoher, M.S. Construction Management Mostafa Khard, M.S. Interior Architecture
Saleh Al Moghnam, M.S. Construction Management Kevin T. King, Jr., B.Architecture
Mohammed Alotaibi, M.S. Construction Shannon McLain, B.Architecture
Management Evan McNaught, B.S. Landscape Architecture
Bander Alqahtani, M.S. Construction Management Christopher Murnin, B.Architecture
Turki Alrabighi, M.S. Construction Management Meghal Patel, M.S. Interior Architecture,
Awss Al-Shaibani, M.S. Construction Management Adewale Sotubo, M.S. Interior Architecture
Ayad Al Shathir, M.S. Construction Management Long Tran, M.S. Construction Management
Yasser Asulaes, M.S. Construction Management Ali Zainulabdeen, M.S. Interior Architecture
HASSRICK HOUSE
Appendix A. Images
“61,” Dining Room, 4130 Cherry Lane, Philadelphia, PA. Photograph by George Acosta. June 30, 2008.
HASSRICK HOUSE
“121,” Studio, 4130 Cherry Lane, Philadelphia, PA. Photograph by George Acosta. June 30, 2008.
HASSRICK HOUSE
“125,” Eave on Studio Addition, 4130 Cherry Lane, Philadelphia, PA. Photograph by George Acosta. December
16, 2008.
HASSRICK HOUSE
“150,” Exterior of 4130 Cherry Lane, Philadelphia, PA. In Collection 1179: Box 820, Folders 5 & 6. Neutra
HASSRICK HOUSE
“IMG_3953.”Pointed Brick Wall at Public Entry of 4130 Cherry Lane, Philadelphia, PA. Personal photograph by
Kevin T. King, Jr. May 16, 2017.
HASSRICK HOUSE
“IMG_3955.”Hearth and Eames Chair, 4130 Cherry Lane, Philadelphia, PA. Personal photograph by Kevin T.
King, Jr. May 16, 2017.
HASSRICK HOUSE
“IMG_3958” Walkway to Pool at 4130 Cherry Lane, Philadelphia, PA. Personal photograph by Kevin T. King, Jr.
May 16, 2017.
HASSRICK HOUSE
“IMG_4173.” Calder Wall Hanging in Dining Room at 4130 Cherry Lane, Philadelphia, PA. Personal photograph
by Kevin T. King, Jr. May 16, 2017.
HASSRICK HOUSE
“IMG_4214.”Former Opening at Private Entry to 4130 Cherry Lane, Philadelphia, PA. Personal photograph by
Kevin T. King, Jr. May 16, 2017.
HASSRICK HOUSE
Nakashima, George. Order Invoice. February 29, 1959. Invoice for woodwork billed to Kenneth Hassrick. George
Nakashima Woodworker. New Hope, Pennsylvania.

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HISTORIC AMERICAN BUILDINGS SURVEY

Neutra’s East-Coast adaptation of California Modernism, combined with

Student Team: Saad Alarifi, Mohammed Alghamdi, Othman Alghannam, Hussain

Part I: Historical Information

Construction on a second addition, to house a new metalworking shop, began in May of

him to design a home for their family. 7

Richard Neutra, a Vienna-born architect (1892), was influenced by modernism in several

3. Original and subsequent owners:

Original and subsequent occupants:

4. Workmen and materials suppliers:

In February of 1959, the Hassricks commissioned Nakashima, a local woodworker, to

Craft and Labor

5. Original plans and construction:

6. Alterations and additions:

Neutra’s Second Workshop

George Nakashima, Woodworker

Irwin Stein’s Commission

Richard Neutra and Modernism

Part II: Architectural Information

2. Condition of fabric: exterior: good; interior: very good

Exterior walls are constructed of Bethayres block, a locally-produced type of Concrete

4. Structural systems, framing:

a. Doorways and doors:

2’-0” high transom vent, leads to the heater room.

b. Windows and shutters:

Windows at the children’s bedrooms are composed of a combination of fixed and

Northwestern Façade: Windows on the northwest façade of Irwin Stein’s addition

4. Wall and ceiling finish:

Part III: Sources of Information

B. Maps and Photographs:

C. Interviews and Lectures:

Acosta, George. Various interviews by various students. Personal Interview. Philadelphia,

Athenaeum of Philadelphia, The. “Hassrick Residence.” Philadelphia Architects and

E. Likely sources not yet investigated: N/A.

F. Supplemental material: See Field Notes.

Part IV: Project Information

Participating students and their programs were as follows:

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