Case study house program | House #1 | J.R.Davidson | Arts and Architecture Magazine #casestudyhouses

Today, we are going to look at Case Study House program which happened between 1945 and 1966. The end of World War II and the return of millions of soldiers caused a residential housing boom. In that time, Arts and Architecture magazine announced and sponsored to do experiment on residential architecture, namely Case Study House program. They brought a team that featured some of the biggest names in architecture in that time, including Richard Neutra, Charles N. Reims, Pierre Koenig, and Eero Saarinen, among others. The experiment focused to design and build inexpensive as well as efficient model homes using new construction materials and methods. At the beginning of the program they planned to host 8 projects, after the reception, 28 more residential projects were presented. Despite the fact that so few were built, many of the Case Study Homes and the ideas they A event in architecture history, this program gave America new models for residential living. This program is an important contribution to the modern architecture movement. It acts as a blueprint for modern homes. In this video and the upcoming ones we are going to see and analyze about the 28 houses, both built and unbuilt. Okay, let's go into the video. Case Study House Number 1. The first house of the program is designed by Julius Ralph Davidson. Better known as J.R. Davidson. In some cases, architect has to invent their clients, they have to design a house for hypothetical client. In other cases there were actual clients. For J.R. Davidson, Art and Architecture magazine gave a hypothetical problem and asked him a solution. We will look into the problem, the magazine provided. A Mr. and Mrs. X, both of whom are professional people with mutual business interests. The family consisting of one teenage daughter away at school and a mother-in-law, who is an occasional welcome guest in the house. It is a servant-less house. So the house must be designed in such a way that care and upkeep do not interfere with the professional activities of the occupants. The house should be simple and elegant. With modern standards. The site frontage is 210 feet and depth 70 feet. A private street is going along the south side of the site. The south and north line being at an angle 45 degree. This problem is placed in the lap of J.R. Davidson. Now let's see the solution he gave. It is assumed that the clients wish a simple, efficient and comfortable house. And that they want to take the full advantage of the climate that makes the inside-outside living possible. Provision is to be made for outdoor eating. Sufficient space for entertainment is provided in interior. The site is in a district where rental units on the same plots are allowed. Provision is made in the design for the additional building of two units. These have been planned in such a way that complete privacy will exist for all living on the property. The house is placed diagonally across the lot in order to gain maximum exposure to the sun. This is the virtual floor plan of the house number 1. This plan is reproduced for illustration purpose. Because the plan provided in the magazine is not clear. As you can see, all the bedrooms are provided with cross ventilation. As the man and wife leave together in the morning. Dressing activities is provided for with two separate dressing bathrooms. The kitchen is adjacent to the dressing wing. And by this arrangement, Mrs. X can attend easily the preparation of breakfast and quick meals. While dressing or working at the desk. The garage is close to the kitchen. And the kitchen door opens to a brick paved court, with a view to the orchard. This court provides a convenient and informal outdoor eating space. And the wall to the southwest gives protection against the prevailing wind. J.R. Davidson has worked as a cabinet designer in ships. He provided so much details about the materials and the products used in the house. Just see the details he provided for the structures. Coming to the detail part. Floors will be made of concrete slab. Finished with natural buff colored cement in a not too smooth surface. With occasional waxing, the floor will acquire a pleasant gloss, it will be easily cleaned and cool in summer. Small rugs will be used at seating groups. Bedrooms will be carpeted entirely. Kitchen, laundry, and bathroom will have asphalt tiles. Walls in bedrooms and halls, as well as the wall over the fireplace in the living room. Are to be improved of insulation board painted. All other walls in the living room will be, glass, or naturally finished ply panels. A choice of colored structural glass. Plastic bakelite panels, or porcelain enameled steel sheets, is proposed for the bathroom walls. These material have integral color finishes, glossy or semi-glossy, and need little attention. The ceiling over tub, shower, and toilet compartment, will be of sound absorbing material. The same acoustic material, will be used in the kitchen and laundry. It is suggested that, the furniture and plywood walls be left natural. Perhaps slightly stained with a protective coating. Doors located in painted walls, should be painted to match. All curtain in general, will blend with other colors used. J.R. Davidson, carefully portrayed the place for every single item, used in the household precisely. This drawing of the kitchen is so detailed, and so complete. The design of the kitchen is very small, very compact. He designated the places, for not only canned goods, and also for the brooms, radio, salt and pepper shakers. This is the drawing of the closet area he submitted. Note the lighted ceiling with illumination. It is an extremely modern feature at that time. Looks detailed, right? He also installed, so many state-of-the-art facilities in the design. He provided a space for silver screen, on the wall for projecting movies. The location is directly opposite to built-in television and home movie projector. These things are used in many houses in nowadays, but imagine it in 1945, it's too modern at that time. Fireplace units are engineered, to circulate fresh air from outside. Automatic garage doors, which open and close, both upon arrival and departure, by pressing a button either in the car, or in the house. An exhaust fan, will be used in kitchen and bathrooms to eliminate steam. All lavatories and sinks to have foot or knee control. Curtains throughout will be of fire resistant, will be of new plastic which is washable and moth proof. Again, these are in 1945. Unfortunately this is the building, that never built. Yes, the first design submitted in the program was never built. It did not attract any clients. But after 3 years, a family with working parents came forward, and the original plans were revised and tailored for them. Still this design inspires many architects around the world. Here we finish the analysis of Case Study House No. 1. Thank you for watching this video. I will post the analysis of other houses also, check them out. Support me by liking this video, comment and share it with your friends. Subscribe if you haven't yet.