Resuscitation through Restoration

Josh Gorrell is an award-winning restorationist and architectural designer from Los Angeles. After studying at Otis College of Art and Design, he began practicing architectural design on projects across Southern California.

As project director for the restoration of Richard Neutra’s Kun House 1 (1936), Josh led the team to a “Best Restoration for Los Angeles” award in 2015. He served as historian, construction manager, architectural designer, and sourcing agent, tracking down many of the period artifacts and fixtures that returned the house to its 1936 glory. The team even built original furniture from Neutra’s drawings that was never realized in his lifetime.

Josh contributed to the restoration of a Rudolph Schindler unit at Pueblo Ribera (1923), which won “Best Restoration for San Diego County” in 2014. He produced the construction drawings for Schindler’s original furniture designs, recreating the proportional relationship between furniture and structure that makes a small space feel far larger.

An internationally recognized authority on Richard Neutra, Josh holds a special passion for early modern design, from the early 1900s through 1940. His love of Europe has since brought him to Berlin, where he has joined the team at Original in Berlin (OIB). His expertise in early to mid-century modern design adds depth to an already remarkable team.