Property of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Diano | Bryn Gweled, Philadelphia | Architect Robert Montgomery Brown | Photos P. A. Dearborn

AN attractive modern house in a rustic setting is the home of the Joseph Diano family. The Dianos built their house in a cooperative community called Bryn called Bryn Gweled about 20 miles northeast of Philadelphia. It is one of twelve houses so far completed in the 240-acre- tract the community bought back in 1940. Like the other houses in Bryn Gweled, the Diano house is on two acres of fields and woodland.

The large windows in the studioliving room are on the north side of the house. This room was practically built around the large north window since it also doubles as a studio for Mr. Diano who is a stained glass artisan. Mrs. Diano and the wives of the other Bryn Gweleders frequently use the room also when the sewing circle meets. Ceilings in the studio-living room are 10 feet high, adding greatly to the spaciousness of the room. Large glass areas on the east and south sides of the house are provided with overhang to utilize heat from the sun in winter and to keep the sun out in summer. These windows afford a good view of Bryn Gweled's rolling countryside.

The Dianos, like many of their friends and neighbors in the community, did much of the work on their house themselves. A contractor erected the framework and sheathed the house and then the Dianos took over the work from there on. They installed the steel sash, put on the siding and did all the finish work on the interiors. By doing so much of the work themselves, they were able to get much more house for the money they had to invest. There is no paint or varnish on the exterior and the interiors are natural wood also, but varnished. Fireplace, forming one wall of entry, is of fieldstone.

The kitchen is U-shaped with ample dining area at the north end. One of the fine features of this plan is that the kitchen is easily accessible to the car shelter and also to the basement stairs. The basement extends under the living room, entrance hall and kitchen. There is only crawling space under the bedroom wing.

The Dianos do not own the land on which their house is built. Like the other homesteaders who live in Bryn Gweled community, they lease the land from the community on a long term lease. This arrangement was agreed upon before the houses were built so that it would be possible to have the community retain its character and principles. Other-ise, it was felt, some of the property might be willed or sold to persons who did not have a genuine interest in cooperative living, therefore losing the whole purpose and spirit of the original venture.