Preserving the Lessons of Mid-Century Modern Architecture
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BY EVE ISENBERG & HOLLY HARRISON
America in the mid-20th century was full of promise. WWII had ended and the economy was booming. A new sense of optimism about the world and progressive thinking influenced all realms of life including business, art, and politics. Today we can still see evidence of this “Modern” movement in the architecture that remains. “Mid-Century Modern” homes are famous for their clean straight lines, large expanses of glass, and low sloped roofs but they do not always age well over time. The large expanses of glass have thin steel frames, which conduct cold in winter. The single pane windows are drafty and expensive to replace. Air conditioning, a necessity today, was rare in the 1950s. Deck and stair railings prioritized views and do not meet today’s safety requirements. Additionally, as a testament to their day, these houses often prioritized quality over quantity and are considered too small by today’s standards with insufficient closets and small bathrooms. How do we preserve the lessons and maintain the beauty of these architectdesigned homes of the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s, while renovating them to meet the current standards for building codes, environmental efficiency, and increased spatial requirements of families today? This is the story of two newly-historic houses
in Concord and the work of the resident homeowners to keep them relevant. One of our favorite houses in Concord is hidden in the woods near Walden Pond. Homeowners Holly Harrison and Jim McManus have lived there for eighteen years. Jim and Holly were attracted to their home’s connection with nature. “Our house is built on a hillside, so it’s got two levels that kind of nestle into the landscape,” says Holly. “It’s a good-sized house, 3,100 square feet, but it’s totally unassuming because you don’t see all of it at once. The giant window wall in the open living room makes you feel like you are always connected to the outdoors.” Local architect and artist Bayard Underwood, who died in 2010 at the age of 93, designed this house in 1957. Bayard earned a Masters of Architecture degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. He later moved to Groton, becoming a partner in Lawrence, Shannon & Underwood. This house, his second, was initially a test prototype of a machine for living, a common theme among architects at that time. As a model for homes of the future, it had to be affordable, flexible for planning and finish selection, and promote and clarify modern living. This is one of the earliest houses to have a butterfly roof, made possible by a steel frame, which was
The new art studio reflects the aesthetic of the original 1957 home. A typical 1960s Deck House staircase featuring code defying railings and risers.
©Ben Gebo Photography
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| Fall 2020
