Lucky enough to find yourself in America’s New England region this May? Why not indulge in an architecture tour of two important examples of mid 20th century residential architectural design. The aforementioned Philip Johnson Glass House in Connecticut has partnered with New York’s Breuer House in Tarrytown to offer a special day of architectural delights.
The Glass House was a long-term passion project for architect Philip Johnson, built between 1949 and 1995. The pastoral 49-acre landscape is composed of fourteen separate structures, including the eponymous Glass House, completed in 1949, and a permanent collection of 20th-century sculptural and painted artworks.
The Breuer House, commissioned in 1948 for the Museum of Modern Art’s garden, was architect Marcel Breuer’s vision of how American families could live in well-designed modern spaces. His design proved incredible influential for 20th century and modern residential design, with its use of glass, wood and natural stone. At the close of the original exhibition, the house was scheduled for demolition, but was saved by John D. Rockefeller Jr who had it cut into four sections and driven upstate to Pocantico Hills.
From 1950 until 2007, various family members occupied the house, which today is owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
If you’re about New England in the coming weeks, this is a design experience not to be missed.
The Glass House
theglasshouse.org
