This building (until today I did not know it is called the The Gertrude Rhinelander Waldo Mansion) has always been a favorite of mine. I think I might be part architectural magpie.
On 72nd and Madison, built by an eccentric and wealthy woman in the late 19th century. Wikipedia actually has a page dedicated to it.
7 comments:
I'm a complete pushover for window-doors set in walls so thick there's room to open the doors within the inset. Especially if they open onto balconies.
Got sample?
Also, please email me if you would: dellbabe68@aol.com
Oh, I meant like this one.
I'm a complete pushover for window-doors set in walls so thick there's room to open the doors within the inset.
I'm a complete pushover for walls that thick; not so much for window doors.
Eric Hines
You like that because it both literally and impressionistically gives you the sense of security and comfort that comes from a structure of substance. You'll see architects doing 7000 square foot neo-whatever homes regularly doing this, even if the actual construction is stick framing, by double walling to give thickness at the openings. It's an illusion (mostly, though there is some insular value), but a very effective one. Modern materials and schools of design have tried to move us to lighter (visually and materially) construction, but deep in our minds, there's still the sense that the safest place is the cave.
I always really liked the Schindler house here in Los Angeles, because Schindler designed it thinking of the cave at your back for security, and the tent before you for a connection to nature.
35 years ago I took an architecture field trip to California. The memories are a little hazy how, but I think the Schindler house was one that we toured. Our professor picked out some wonderful things for us to see, including a Greene & Greene house that marked me for life. He was awfully upset with me for abandoning architecture and going into law, but he did make a lifelong impression on me, at least, even if he didn't make an architect of me. Some teacher.
Our house has the usual thickness of walls, but in one area we mimicked the thick-wall effect by putting the fireplace in the center and window seat nooks on either side, with bookcases on the side walls. It would have been great to be able to do it on all the walls, but of course it eats up square footage and money. Still, it looks and feels so good, and provides so much storage, that if we ever build again I'm going to push for more of it.
PS, Dellbabe, I tried to email you . . . ? You can try me at texanninetynine@earthlink.net.
Post a Comment