Modern Houses on the outer Cape Cod

Modern houses in the outer Cape Cod has lots of influence from Neo-plasticism. Their basic elements focuses on simplicity and abstraction by using straight horizontal and vertical lines and rectangular forms. However, it was not just a immitation from the old styles. They explored their original style as Charles Jencks said here, We are transformed by what we experience.

The first house that we saw on the outer Cape Cod was designed by Marcel Breuer. The house was not just a simple cubic form, the space was divided into two separate rectangular buildings and looked like L- shape. The cantilevered porch was centered at the corner of L-shape and also faced up to the lake so that it functioned well as a main community and activity area. As this house was floating from the ground, there was a sense of freshness and cheerfulness around there. And also, the windows were relatively large compared to regular houses so that it would have a nice panoramic view from the house.

The second house designed by Charls Zehnder reminded me of Cubism paintings because lots of geometric forms were floating together. Both horizontal cantilevered balconies and overhanging roof and vertical walls ware interplaying so that there were an atmosphere of active and dynamic motion going on. My eyes kept moving back and forth to capture the entire form. The distinguished concrete walls gave me the sense of solid, mass, and heavy quality even though it was dematerialized by the organic wood wall balcony and one side of the house was floating. So, the material of concrete applied to walls did not seem to match with quiet and calm surroundings in the forest, especially during summer.

Jack Hall's house was remarkably unique in structure and applied new technology. Living and kitchen, bedroom and bath were all in separate and its surrounding roof grid served as a outer cube. During summer, the roof grids allowed the exterior walls to be hoist up and be able to adjust ventilation. Even though the idea of the changeable structure was new, however, when the shutters closed, it give me a sense of unfinished and a necessity for refinement because of its empty space inside structure.

This trip to the outer Cape Cod really influenced me. The idea of harmonization between human livings and nature is quite difficult theme. These three architects approached in their own way. There were many important elements to learn. I think we need to step forward to the future livings by using their achievements.