This spectacular house was designed by Mr. Frank R. Glass for his family. Mr. Glass was both an architect and associate building editor for Better Homes and Gardens.
The brick landing for the car, the deck, the 8-foot wide bridge, plantings and rocks give a welcoming feeling to the house. The buildig has an efficient rectangular floor plan. The zoning is done in blocks - sleeping on the right, working and mechanical areas down the center and the living-dining area on the left. And there is very little space invested in hallway. the bathroom does the job of two with only the fixtures of one ordinary bath plus a lavatory. The plan has 1.496 square feet on the main level; over-all dimensions are 52x34 feet, including the deck.
Here you can see the front and side from the low point of the garden. The home was planned to fit this fairly typical site without much bulldozing of the natural area. The retaining wall at the right levels out the driveway and the bridge connects it with the house. This use of the lot exposes one whole wall on the lower level family room so that space is bright and airy. The cantilevered deck soars high on this side - it's supported by extending both the floor and roof beams. Long-lasting aluminum screening makes it a bug-free summer extension of the living room.
Large glass are ain the back let the view of the rear lawn stream to the master bedroom, kitchen and dining room. The top sections of all the windows are fixed; the lower windows are awning type, double-pane units.
The kitchen is a real command post. The working area is a U-shape that opens to the dining area. The breakfast bar is within easy reach of the kitchen side of the counter.
The screened deck is 8x20 feet, but look at the room to relax. It serves as an extension of the living room.
Tall living room windows scoop in a vista of every season. Generous use of glass here makes the room seem almost a part of the outside. The fireplace is a prefabricated model that pivots to cast its friendly glow to the living or dining area.
This dining area is separated from the living room only by the fireplace. The table is spotted near the kitchen for convenient, every-evening use. And when company comes for dinner, the kitchen doors close, the fireplace pivots and the hanging light fixture dims.
The other side of the living room tells the rest of the structure story. The dark posts support the 4x10 ceiling beams - and a sheet of gypsum wall board fits between them without a joint. With a wall system like this, standard 8-foot materials can be used without cuting. The roof support system rests on top - and you enjoy the feeling of extra space from the 9-foot-high ceilings. The acoustical ceiling is a 3-inch-thick roof decking that also insulates and provides a base for the tar-and-gravel built-up above.
.jpg)
Social Plugin