Modern houses on the market open doors to public

Saturday, 31 October 2009 23:00

The public is invited to tour four of New Canaan’s modern homes on Sunday, November 1, during an open house from 1 to 4 p.m.

Included are the Hemicycle House, designed by John Howe, a top apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright; a house designed by a disciple of Wright, Eduardo Faxas; the Alice Ball House, designed by Philip Johnson, and the new townhouse designed by New Canaan’s David Prutting, with architect Joeb Moore of Greenwich. All four homes are on the market and the open house is hosted by the four listing brokers at William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty.

“Normally these homes are only shown by Realtors to serious potential buyers, or open just for private parties or benefits such as the Historical Society’s Modern House Tour,” said Rita Kirby, who organized the event. “We wanted to give the general public an opportunity to see and appreciate New Canaan’s unique heritage of modern and contemporary homes.

House on Candlestick Lane

The Hemicycle House at 22 Father Peter’s Lane (also called Candlestick Lane) is an example of one of Wright’s latest concepts — the “hemicycle” or half circle. On seven acres overlooking woodlands, the house has curved walls of glass, combined with Delaware River stone and honey cypress. These natural materials are also used in the interior.

Architect John Howe collaborated with Edgar Tafel, another apprentice, in designing and building the original part of this house in l982. Current owners Scott and Susan Belmont have recently completed a major renovation and architecturally significant expansion of the house. The Belmonts actually procured copies of Howe’s original blueprints for architect Gary Stluka, who designed the two additions. Kirby has listed the house for $5.4 million.

Faxas original

Another interpretation of Wright’s principles may be seen in the dramatic contemporary home designed by Faxas at 100 Greenley Road. A contemporary of the Harvard Five, Faxas left his native Cuba in l953 to embrace the modernist movement in the United States, and worked with architect Eliot Noyes in Fairfield County in the l960s. Faxas oriented the home to the contour of the land and the sunlight. He has made many pilgrimages to see Wright’s work throughout the country.

The house he designed on Greenley Road in l966 has been updated and expanded with a state-of-the-art kitchen and new master suite with fireplace, sitting area and its own terrace. Natural materials — brick, stone and glass — are used throughout the house, which is set on four private acres, including a pool, tennis court, pool house and several terraces. The house is listed with Susan Blabey for $2.395 million.

Oenoke jewel

Philip Johnson’s Alice Ball house, set on two acres at 523 Oenoke Ridge, is a stone and glass house with high ceilings and period fixtures. It includes a great room, updated kitchen and two bedrooms in the main house, plus a guest cottage connected by a high-walled courtyard garden. The home is listed with Prudence Parris for $2,895,000.

In-town modern

Prutting and Moore have created the three-story, 5,300-square-foot “in-town” townhouse at 173 Park Street. It has a walled-in rooftop, replete with fireplace and kitchen amenities, and a view of Mead Park. It also has an elevator.

The private first-floor studio is oriented toward the park in back, taking advantage of the sloping terrain, and the entire house is constructed with energy-saving “green” technology. The townhouse is listed with Mimi Allen and Martha Perry for $4.95 million.

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites