Collection by Diana Budds

Architects' Homes for their Parents

It comes at no surprise that some of the most famous architects' early commissions were for their parents. Who better to encourage their experimental ideas? How better to repay years of encouragement? For a few—like Charles Gwathmey (whose Amagansett house was featured in our October 2012 American Modern issue) and Harry Seidler—those were the projects put them on the map. Here, we take a look at more homes by architects for their families.

At 689 square feet, the open-plan house features a bedroom, powder room, bathroom, kitchen, and small salon that could be converted into a guest room. Photo by aplatform.
At 689 square feet, the open-plan house features a bedroom, powder room, bathroom, kitchen, and small salon that could be converted into a guest room. Photo by aplatform.
The Rogers House, built in 1969 for Rogers’s parents,was “a transparent, flexible tube which would be adapted and extended,” offering freedom of layout through flexibility of design.
The Rogers House, built in 1969 for Rogers’s parents,was “a transparent, flexible tube which would be adapted and extended,” offering freedom of layout through flexibility of design.
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.
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.
Here's the interior of the Vanna Venturi House.
Here's the interior of the Vanna Venturi House.
Kathryn Moore House

Charles Moore is remembered for designing the homes from Sea Ranch and for the PoMo Piazza d'Italia public plaza in New Orleans. He also created this Japan-inspired house sited in Pebble Beach, California, for his mother in the mid 1950s. Photo via the Charles Moore Foundation.
Kathryn Moore House Charles Moore is remembered for designing the homes from Sea Ranch and for the PoMo Piazza d'Italia public plaza in New Orleans. He also created this Japan-inspired house sited in Pebble Beach, California, for his mother in the mid 1950s. Photo via the Charles Moore Foundation.
Here's the courtyard of the Kathryn Moore House. Photo via the Charles Moore Foundation.
Here's the courtyard of the Kathryn Moore House. Photo via the Charles Moore Foundation.
Jerome and Carolyn Meier House

Architect Richard Meier designed this Essex, New Jersey, house for his parents in 1965. Meier described it as "A Miesian brick house under a Frank Lloyd Wright roof." Meier was also quoted as saying: "My mother always said everything was perfect except for one thing—there weren't enough closets."
Jerome and Carolyn Meier House Architect Richard Meier designed this Essex, New Jersey, house for his parents in 1965. Meier described it as "A Miesian brick house under a Frank Lloyd Wright roof." Meier was also quoted as saying: "My mother always said everything was perfect except for one thing—there weren't enough closets."
Seidler House

Though located just outside of Sydney, Australia, the house Harry Seidler designed for his mother clearly traces its sources from the European canon. Photo by newformula.
Seidler House Though located just outside of Sydney, Australia, the house Harry Seidler designed for his mother clearly traces its sources from the European canon. Photo by newformula.
Here's an archival shot of the Seidler House deck.
Here's an archival shot of the Seidler House deck.
The prefab steel frame lightly touches the wood to prevent mold and mildew.
The prefab steel frame lightly touches the wood to prevent mold and mildew.
Farkas—preparing a snack for the grandkids—deferred to her daughter about the design of the interior. "She obviously trusted my taste," Julia says. "She never shied away from the modern aesthetic."
Farkas—preparing a snack for the grandkids—deferred to her daughter about the design of the interior. "She obviously trusted my taste," Julia says. "She never shied away from the modern aesthetic."
The interior is furnished with Lubi Daybeds from CB2, which Howell and Porter designed to include hidden cubbies behind and beneath the cushions.
The interior is furnished with Lubi Daybeds from CB2, which Howell and Porter designed to include hidden cubbies behind and beneath the cushions.