Anchored on either side of a woodland stream, this house is an extraordinary bridge straddling the flowing water. The three arches over the bridged section are designed to suggest a sense of fluid motion, in contrast to the four flat-roofed wings branching from its corners. Glass walls on both sides not only give the 47' living-dining area the open effect of a bridge but also allow the owners to enjoy a view of the brook, its pools and falls, both upstream and down. In fair weather, they may sit outside on balconies running the width of the bridge. Each of the four wings is a distinct zone with direct access to the living-dining bridge. Each has its own bath, and the walls of these wings, in contrast to the bridge, are largely solid for privacy.
Like its exterior profile, the interior of this house has distinction, free from arbitrary rules that dictate what must go with what. For instance, the vaulted ceiling sections, rising to a height of 13' and finished in gold leaf, are a classic feature. Yet they contrast agreeably with such "modern" materials as the gray-black terrazzo flooring of the living-dining area and the glazed brick of the fireplace. Against the rear wall of the fireplace is a fine Sheraton desk-cabinet housing a collection of porcelain from the Orient. On either side of it is a Victorian rosewood chair. In the living room, the seating pieces were chosen for everyday comfort and contemporary appearance. And in the dining area is a rosewood table with Chippendale fretwork. The kitchen and baths are efficiently planned with modern materials for contemporary living needs. Though the bridged area of the house is glass-enclosed on both sides, the living area is well screened from the entrance by a storage wall containing a bar and hi-fi system. Each of the four wings, standing almost independent of the rest of the house, has exceptionally generous storage facilities.
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source: House and Garden Magazine | February 1958
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