Design and Architecture

Wallace Neff's Bubble Houses

One of the founding builders of Los Angeles was Wallace Neff, an architect based in Pasadena who built houses for LA's rich and famous in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. But he envisioned housing thousands of less affluent people in spherical buildings made of concrete and air.

By Frances Anderton • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

One of the founding builders of Los Angeles was Wallace Neff, an architect based in Pasadena who built houses for LA's rich and famous in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. But he envisioned housing thousands of less affluent people in spherical buildings made of concrete and air. David Weinberg tells the story of the bubble house dream that burst.

David Weinberg produced this story for KCRW's Independent Producer Project, which supports the work of independent media producers.

Frances Anderton
architecture critic and author
Frances Anderton
architecture critic and author
David Weinberg
Host, Welcome to L.A.

Culture

Design and Architecture

Wallace Neff's Bubble Houses

One of the founding builders of Los Angeles was Wallace Neff, an architect based in Pasadena who built houses for LA's rich and famous in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. But he envisioned housing thousands of less affluent people in spherical buildings made of concrete and air.

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Design and Architecture

Wallace Neff's Bubble Houses

One of the founding builders of Los Angeles was Wallace Neff, an architect based in Pasadena who built houses for LA's rich and famous in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. But he envisioned housing thousands of less affluent people in spherical buildings made of concrete and air.

Share