The Low House and the Bell House

Isaac Bell House, Newport, RI – Completed 1883

The Low House and the Bell House, both by McKim, Mead and White. The later termed "Shingle style" both homes use wooden shingles to simplify, and unify, their wall textures, both have traditional gabled roofs, and both have some type of colonnade. Still, these two homes are incredibly unique in their forms and little motif.

William G. Low House, Bristol, RI – Completed 1887, Demolished 1962

Where the Bell House has varied roof heights, shapes and pitches, the Low House has one large unifying gable. On the Bell home the Asian-like thin bamboo pillars of the large covered porch contrast the heavy forms of the different roofs structure without a sense of instability. On the Low House the simple white bay windows and side porch supported by shingled columns provide visual variety and balance.

H.H. Richardson

H.H. Richardson's designs, especially master works such as the Trinity Church, Crane Memorial Library and even the Marshall Field Wholesale Store, with their huge yet coherent massing which lend to an understanding of the building’s function and parts diverge from their predecessors, specifically the purely rectangular massing of the classical styles.

Richardson’s Romanesque designs are often more refined details and decoration, including the large dominating Syrian arch which required less columns and capitals than classical or even Gothic styles. Aside from the decorative details Richardson's designs were often massively scaled and constructed almost entirely of stone.

For this reason this style was generally expensive and reserved for wealthy clientele, unlike the revival styles and other Victorian style which were easily transposed onto smaller scale buildings.

Piazza d’ Italia

Piazza d’ Italia was design by Charles Moore and Perez & Associates located is New Orleans, Louisiana. Functioning as a city plaza and open air space the Piazza d’ Italia is a dramatic example of the ideals of Postmodernism architecture. Built is 1978 the plaza incorporates many decorative motifs from Greco-Roman Classical architecture, include Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns and capitals, arches and alcoves. Still, these classical elements are arranged in almost an abstract and random placement in the creation on the space. Jutting angles connecting the stacked sets of multi-color colonnades heighten the dramatic viewing experience. Round alternating black and white paving stones, arranged in a concentric circular pattern fill the open portion of the plaza and are broken by jagged stepped edges creating a pool for the plaza’s water feature. The playful, whimsical and almost-classical atmosphere Moore and Perez created stands as example of Postmodernism of the late-twentieth century. 

Gamble House

Green and Green's 1909 Gamble house in Pasadena California is considered the quint essential example of both the California Bungalow style and the Green brother's best work. Similar to Wright theories on fitting the building to the landscape, and not the other way around, the Gamble house seems to naturally grow out from the rolling hills along side it. The rough stone foundation grounds and dark wood shingles to the airy menagerie of masterfully designed glass windows, protruding balconies, exposed woodwork, extended eaves and low-pitched roof lines inspired by both Japanese and English Arts and Crafts traditions. The varied massing blocks of the house come together at the interior to form a harmonious, expansive and free-flowing living and entertaining space. 

Steps To Nothing

Take a look at these steps that lead to nothing. The older picture of the house confirm where the front door was originally.