Concord’s Mid-Century Modern Homes Define An Era
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There is more to Concord architecture than white clapboard and immaculate colonials. Like its neighbors in Lincoln and Lexington, Concord abounds with fi ne examples of midcentury modern homes. Built between 1930 and 1970, these examples of architectural history have largely been ignored until recently - too young to be considered “historical.” World War II veterans and young families sought out the fresh air, forest, and farmland, seeking healthy and affordable lifestyles - eschewing the more expensive city and settling in the suburbs. Some of these settlers were well educated and design savvy. They gravitated to honest materials and structure, solidly built houses with fresh, forwardlooking style, and they admired architects from Europe and California who were spearheading a new, Modern movement. We can divide mid-century houses into two categories: “high design” or unique, customized homes commissioned by clients from local architects; and catalog plan ordered, partially prefabricated in a factory houses for “Everyman,” designed by the professor/architect as the new machine for 28
Discover CONCORD
| Winter 2019
BY EVE ISENBERG
living. Concord has a plentiful selection of well-maintained examples of each.
the pine forest. The visitor must follow a bluestone path through an enclosed courtyard and step up to the front door. It is diffi cult to determine the size of the house from the diminutive entrance. After being received into the low-height entry vestibule, removing shoes and hanging coats in the generous guest coat closet, one passes through a second set of doors and is treated to a two story view down a fl oating staircase and outside through fl oor to ceiling windows into the sloping yard of ferns and forest.
Marvin Goody Houses: Mid-Century Modern High Design Marvin Goody (1929-1980) was a Professor of Architecture at MIT and founded his own fi rm with Richard Hamilton in 1955. In 1960 John Clancy (1930-2004) became a partner. In 1962, the fi rm name changed to Goody Clancy, as it is still known today. One of the homes by Goody Clancy was commissioned by Richard Adler (1922-1990), a professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT. He and Marvin Goody discussed plans for this unique house for two years before it was constructed in the winter of 1962. It was designed to suit the family with three boys who would travel from upper story to lower via a rope which came through an opening in the fl oor. The approach to the house is The floating staircase anchors the lower level and sets the stage for entertaining. down a long driveway through
Photos this page © Inkstone Architects LLC
Exterior walls extend into the setting to blur the transition from inside to out.
