The Esherick House is a mid-century art deco design house located in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. Originally built in 1956 by architect Louis Kahn, this house has become a National Historic Landmark for its innovative floor plan and use of space. The floor plan of this two-story, four bedroom house consists of a center courtyard with three buildings that surround it. The main building contains the living room, dining room, kitchen, library, and other communal areas. Two of the other buildings are used as bedrooms and the third is a garage with an attached pool. The Esherick House is a unique example of mid-century art deco design – its floor plan maximizes natural sunlight and creates rooms filled with an abundance of shapes and colors. Esherick House Floor Plan
Esherick House Floor Plan
The Esherick House was built using concrete, steel, and redwood, which were all covered with terracotta tiles on the exterior. The interior walls were constructed from reinforced concrete walls and the ceilings from plasterboard. The entire structure was built on top of a raised floor system. The raised floor system provided a level of thermal insulation from the winter cold and summer heat. All of the furniture in the house was also made from the same materials used for the exterior of the house. Esherick House Building Plans
Esherick House Building Plans
The main living spaces of the Esherick House are filled with an abundance of color and unique shapes. The living room is a square shape surrounded by large windows and the ceiling height is 6 meters. The floors are covered with light-colored tiles and the walls are painted in bright shades of orange and blue. The furniture in the room is made from Balsa wood and coated with a glossy finish. The dining room, library, and other communal spaces are filled with unique shapes and colors.Esherick House Descriptions of Spaces
Esherick House Descriptions of Spaces
To capture the beauty of the Esherick House, photos of its exterior and interior have been taken. The photos capture the unique and vibrant colors of the walls and the modern shapes of the furniture. The photos also highlight the level of detail put into the design of the house – from the use of angular shapes to the abundance of natural light that fills the rooms. The photos illustrate why this house has been noted as a National Historic Landmark. Esherick House Photos
Esherick House Photos
The exterior of the Esherick House is covered in terracotta tiles which provide a level of protection against the weather. The tiles are coated with a glossy finish that shines in the sun. The windows are large and angular, allowing the maximum amount of natural sunlight to come into the space. Esherick House Exterior Details
Esherick House Exterior Details
The Esherick House was built on a one-acre site in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania. The site plan of the house consisted of three buildings arranged around a central courtyard – the main house, a garage, and a pool house. The main house and the pool house are connected by a walkway covered in terracotta tiles. The design of the house was about living close to nature, so the site plan took that into consideration – the courtyard was designed to capture the sunlight from all directions, while the surrounding trees provided shade and privacy. Esherick House Site Plan
Esherick House Site Plan
The Esherick House is a perfect example of mid-century art deco design. Its use of angular shapes, abundance of natural light, and unique colors makes it stand out from other buildings of its time. The design of the house was all about maximizing the use of space and creating an atmosphere of tranquility – from the angular windows to the unique furniture, every aspect of the design was planned and thought out carefully. Esherick House Designs
Esherick House Designs
The structure of the Esherick House was built from reinforced concrete, steel, and redwood. Inside the walls of the house are filled with plasterboard and the floors are covered with light colored tiles. The unique shapes used in the exterior of the house were created with the use of steel beams. The use of steel beams allowed for large windows and an overall lighter structure which created a more airy feeling in the space. Esherick House Structure
Esherick House Structure
The construction of the Esherick House was a labor of love by its architect Louis Kahn. All materials used for the house were of the highest quality – the steel beams used to create the angular shapes of the exterior were made in Italy, while the redwood and terracotta tiles were carefully sourced from local suppliers. The entire structure was put together by a group of highly skilled laborers and the result was a structure of only the highest quality. Esherick House Construction Details
Esherick House Construction Details
The interior of the Esherick House was carefully designed to be an oasis of tranquility and relaxation. The walls and ceilings are painted in bright colors of orange and blue, while the furniture is made from Balsa wood and coated with a glossy finish. The floors are made from light colored tiles and the windows are large and angular. These design elements were carefully planned and chosen to create a unique and calming atmosphere. Esherick House Interior Designs
Esherick House Interior Designs
Exploring the Essential Characteristics of the Esherick House Plan
The
Esherick House Plan
is a classic example of modern architecture. Named after its designer, renowned architect Louis I. Kahn, this iconic structure was designed in the late 1950s for the proportionally proportioned, which has become a staple of modernity. As a home for two people, it is designed for optimal comfort in a modest space. The house plan combines an open floor plan and large windows to allow for ample natural light and numerous views of the surrounding landscape.
Versatile Floor Plans and Design
The Esherick House Plan is characterized by an open and flexible floor plan, proclaiming it’s modernity through its lack of defining walls. Instead, Kahn has used sliding glass doors and pocket door systems for privacy when needed. The interior is divided into distinct living areas and bathrooms, which blend naturally into one another. The kitchen, for instance, opens directly to the living room, allowing for a natural sense of flow between the two spaces.
Natural Materials and Craftsmanship
The building materials used in the Esherick House Plan are meant to complement the material natural elements of the environment. The exterior walls take their cues from the landscape, utilizing wood and stone in their construction. Inside, white walls act as the perfect backdrop for the thoughtful details imbued in the architecure. Built-in cabinetry, wood moldings, and natural brick fireplaces all add to the unique character of the home.
A Focus on Outside Views
The
Esherick House Plan
also accounts for sweeping views of the outdoors, incorporating large windows wherever possible. These encompass the home, drawing the natural elements of the environment into the building’s interior. Where windows aren't available, skylights in the ceiling provide ample natural light. In this way, the house plan effectively captures and enhances the sensation of being outdoors even when the homeowner is actually inside.
A Symbol of Modern Living and Comfort
The
Esherick House Plan
exemplifies modern living and comfort. It is a timeless design that provides a comfortable living environment in a small space. With its multiple design features and sustainability at its core, the home plan is an icon of versatile, modern architecture.
