Preserving the Lessons of Mid-Century Modern Architecture

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.

A typical 1960s Deck House staircase featuring code defying railings and risers.

©Ben Gebo Photography

How do we preserve the lessons and maintain the beauty of these architect designed 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 conducive for mass production. As far as we know, however, this house is the only one of its kind.

“Our house was renovated by two families before us, so it’s an interesting hybrid,” explains Holly. “The original footprint was expanded on in the 1980s, adding a lower level. In 2000, the couple we bought the house from renovated the main level creating an open concept living space.” “One of our favorite design elements is the visible infrastructure,” adds Jim. “Bayard built the house so the steel support beams can be seen in every room. In the 2000 renovation, the homeowners installed HVAC in the same spirit, running the ducts visibly through the space.”

Both artists, the couple’s desire for a studio was realized in 2008. The studio space evolved along the lines of the original house and captures the original design intent to marry structure with plan and relate indoor and outdoor spaces. This addition beautifully accomplishes the goal of adding space to work from home, a popular need for today.

The new art studio reflects the aesthetic of the original 1957 home.

© Stefan Hagen Photography

About four miles away on a street that is home to the largest collection of Deck Houses in Concord, two other homeowners recognize the intrinsic value of their home. In the 1960s, Deck Houses were sold as factory-built kits to be assembled on site. The post-and-beam structure allows for ribbons of windows, flexible floor plans, and central fireplaces. Most Deck Houses are carefully sited such that views of trees and rocks of New England resonate with the carefully sourced interior woods and stones.

Rob and Louisa Paushter have worked hard to balance modernizing their Deck House for today with carefully preserving enough of the original character. Over the years, they have updated the furnace, chimney, and roof and have added skylights in the kitchen, bathroom and front hall to bring in light. They also brought the deck railing up to code. Cosmetic changes have been basic: refinishing the floors upstairs and installing cork downstairs, updating the kitchen countertops, and replacing some windows and the front door. “We are about to completely redo the upstairs bathroom,” says Louisa. “And the best thing we did was to install central AC.”

Despite having to take on some expensive updates, the Paushters continue to appreciate the things that made them want to live in a Deck House. “We loved the huge windows and the way they bring the outdoors in,” says Louisa. “We loved the natural feel of all the wood. We have been here for almost 19 years.” As for preserving the character of their home, she adds, “We have not painted any wood. We have minimal window coverings. Rob’s mother was an interior designer in the ‘50s and ‘60s, and we have inherited a lot of her furniture which fits in perfectly.”

1976 Deck House Company brochure shows classic elements including iconic roofline, deep overhang, and vertical siding.

Used with permission of the Acorn Deck House Company, Acorn, MA

Deck Houses embody the same values of the Modern architect-designed one-off houses: flexibility, connection to nature, and open floor plans, all of which are still important today. One of the lessons of the houses of this time period is that architecture can be made to serve its inhabitants instead of existing to serve itself or honor its creator. Our Concord history is in these houses as much as it is in our more famously historic homes.

Eve Isenberg is a registered Architect in the State of Massachusetts and a Principal of the women-owned InkStone Architects LLC, Concord. Visit www.inkstonearchitects.com for more information. Eve is also happy to be a Deck House homeowner in Concord.

Holly Harrison is a visual artist living and working in Concord, MA. She is represented by Abigail Ogilvy Gallery in Boston and Edgewater Gallery in VT. Her work can be seen at www.holly-harrison.com or follow her on instagram at @hollyharrisonart.