Friday, December 18, 2009

White and Pointy - 80 years apart

I'm participating in Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch. Thanks to Susan! Not a nice metamorphosis now, but let's hope these come back.

This new house - a teardown - by Atlanta architect Bradley E. Heppner - takes my breath away.
It's a 2009 Morningside interpretation of something older. But isn't everything? In any case I love the pointy shapes, the simplicity, the interesting roof, the straightforward windows. I think it will be on magazine covers.

PC042019-2009-12-04-Berkshire-Facade-Gables-Parapet-Curve-Between

So here is a 1929'er in Druid Hills. I've been driving by it forever, always enjoying the simple white shapes. Would you keep the white windows or go for a more metal look?
PC162263-2009-12-16-Druid-Hills-1929-French-White-Closeup

The new one is a bit stark in the picture, it hasn't weathered in yet, the driveway too new. In person, it's striking but not so stark. Can you imagine white windows?
PC042021-2009-12-04-Berkshire-Facade

My field guide to American homes says that English houses have a door emphasis, French ones a roof emphasis. I include the door surround for Things That Inspire's post about a "carved" doorway.
PC162261-2009-12-16-Druid-Hills-1929-French-White-Gold-Facade-Detail-Entry-Chimney

Compare to the neighboring house. I've been watching it since before the teardown. Every day has been interesting. Exterior walls are concrete block with hard coat stucco.
PC042022-2009-12-04-Berkshire-Facade-Driveway

The more I look, the more I learn, the deeper I look, the more I like.

Thanks,
Terry

P.S. What I particularly appreciate about architects and builders: Their work is forever in public and can't come in out of the rain.
PC042021-2009-12-04-Berkshire-East-Gutter-Detail-Fuzzy

That can mean gutter rocket science.

Thanks to Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch.

11 comments:

  1. Beautiful! I wonder if the inside is as interesting? There's no other way, I suppose, of disposing of rainwater from a roof than downspouts but surely they could have been less utilitarian than this. However, as I said, it is a beautiful house, abstract and almost Mondriaanesque.

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  2. Blue, at night I can get a tiny peak in the window from the street. Tough to tell, but I suspect the place is "the total package." The downspouts in the picture are not on the feature side of the house.

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  3. Hi,
    That house is awesome. A little bit modern, a little bit traditional, a little bit European and a lot of beautiful. The 1929'er is a beauty too but I think I would opt for darker mullions. I think darker mullions would give it more character.

    Have a great weekend! -Cristi

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  4. I love those downspouts.

    For the older house, I kind of like the lighter mullions. Gives it kind of a faded look.

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  5. Downspouts are such a problem or at least for me they are a problem.

    In our last home we had to put a gutter right next to the back door which looked awful not to mention the constant ice in the winter. We finally redirected the water but the downspout still looked awful.

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  6. Terry, We are the owners of the new house, our architect, Brad Heppner forwarded your blog address to us. If you come by when we're around, you can take a deeper look, the back is the best part of the house, and we love the interior.

    David and Mia

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  7. David and Mia, That is very kind. I'm not worthy but I'll be there after Christmas. If you could send me an terry@surf303.com, I'll try to make it as convenient as possible.

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  8. Wow - the power of a blog, to literally open doors for you! I can't wait to hear the report on the interiors.

    I felt privileged to see pictures of this house a few weeks ago, and love this comparison between old and new. We are so fortunate to have so much wonderful and inspirational architecture in Atlanta.

    I recently saw a James Means renovation that did not have downspouts - the house was designed or perhaps renovated so that the water dripped into a brick area that had a drain in the middle. It was an elegant solution.

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  9. This is a fabulous post. It is wonderful to see architects and owners who are building new homes that fit into the genre of the original homes in older neighborhoods. I live in an older neighborhood and trust me, it is so appreciated! Terry, thanks for sharing this interesting perspective. Always enjoy my visits here.
    Happy Holidays! ~ Sarah

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  10. Oh my goodness, Terry! What an invitation! Love your perspective on the house and hope we may take a slight tour at least with you. How gracious, David and Mia! :-)

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