Arthur and Mona Hofmann House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Arthur and Mona Hofmann House
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 Hofmann House
Location in San Francisco Bay Area
Hofmann House
Location in California
Hofmann House
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1048 Cuesta Road, Hillsborough, California |
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| Built | 1937 |
| Architect | Richard Neutra |
| Architectural style | International Style (architecture) |
| NRHP reference No. | 91000926 |
| Added to NRHP | 1991 |
The Arthur and Mona Hofmann House, also known as the Hofmann House, is a special historic home built in 1937. You can find it at 1048 Cuesta Road in Hillsborough, California. A famous architect named Richard Neutra designed this house. He used a style called International Style. Since August 5, 1991, it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important building worth protecting. The Hofmann House is a private home, so it is not open for public visits.
Contents
A Special Home's Story
Who Were the Hofmanns?
Arthur Hofmann (born 1898) and his wife, Mona (born 1910), were very interested in modern art. Mona was an artist herself. She even helped the famous painter Diego Rivera with some of his large murals. These included Man, Controller of the Universe and Pan American Unity. In the Pan American Unity mural, Mona Hofmann is actually painted into the artwork! The Hofmanns met architect Richard Neutra through friends who also knew Diego Rivera.
Designed by a Famous Architect
The Hofmann House was the first big home Richard Neutra designed in the San Francisco Bay Area. He worked with another architect, Otto Winkler, on the plans. The house is about 4,200 square feet. It has three stories and a flat roof that hangs over the edges. The outside is made of stucco. In 1991, the Hofmann House was one of the best-preserved homes designed by Neutra outside of Southern California.
The Tiger Mural
A talented artist named Antonio Sotomayor (born 1902) painted a mural inside the house in 1937. It was on a wall in the southwest part of the home. The mural was called El Tigrero, which means "The Tiger Hunter." The painting was inspired by a story about Arthur Hofmann and a tiger hunt in Brazil that didn't go as planned. Over time, the mural was painted over. Luckily, it was later restored to its original beauty.
Awards and Recognition
The Hofmanns really supported modern art and Richard Neutra's work. Mona was very proud of their home. She often spoke about it in interviews. The Hofmann House won several design awards. In 1937, it received second prize from House Beautiful magazine. Later, in 1992, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) of San Mateo County honored the house for its historical renovations.
