Vanna Venturi House

Richard Venturi designed this Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, house for his mother in 1963. Known for quoting the visual language of older architectural movements, Venturi broke with the rigid box-like forms of the high modern style for this structure. Of this design he stated "This building recognizes complexities and contradictions: it is both complex and simple, open and closed, big and little: some of its elements are good one one level and bad on another." In his world "less was a bore," as shown by the exaggerated proportions and embellishments of the facade shown here. Photo 4 of 13 in Architects' Homes for their Parents by Diana Budds

Architects' Homes for their Parents

4 of 13

Vanna Venturi House

Richard Venturi designed this Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, house for his mother in 1963. Known for quoting the visual language of older architectural movements, Venturi broke with the rigid box-like forms of the high modern style for this structure. Of this design he stated "This building recognizes complexities and contradictions: it is both complex and simple, open and closed, big and little: some of its elements are good one one level and bad on another." In his world "less was a bore," as shown by the exaggerated proportions and embellishments of the facade shown here.