This course is part of the Custom Home Academy

This webinar is part of the Custom Home Academy

This lively and informative webinar will provide a brief history of the Mid-Century Modern (MCM) movement in the U.S., including basic principles, leading architects, and key projects that exemplify this well-known and well-loved style. Additionally, we will hear from architecture and design professionals who will present case studies of recent custom home projects that either creatively revive existing Mid-Century Modern homes or channel MCM principles into new builds, detailing how and why this iconic building style is seeing a resurgence. In addition to highlighting the aesthetics of MCM architecture, our presenters will also examine how today’s goals of increased sustainability, performance, and occupant comfort are incorporated into this design aesthetic.

John Vetter of Vetter Architects will present a Lac La Belle, Wisconsin, residential project. Located on a lake outside of Milwaukee, the Vessel House is the culmination of an intense 5-year collaboration with the firm’s client and multiple local craftsmen focused on the creation of a modern analogue to the Usonian Home.

As with most residential work, this home is a direct reflection of its owner, a highly educated art collector with a passion for music, fine furniture, and architecture. His interest in authenticity drove the material selections such as masonry, copper, and white oak, as well as the need for traditional methods of construction.

The initial diagram of the house involved a collection of embedded walls that emerge from the site and create spaces between them, which are covered with a series of floating rooves. The windows provide natural light on three sides of the house as a band of clerestories, transforming to a floor to ceiling ribbon of glass on the lakeside.

The Up Studio’s John Patrick Winberry will present the firm’s Flying Bend house, which is a residence built into a densely wooded hillside, a half mile off the Hudson River, in Irvington, NY. The property’s distinctive shape and steep slope created a series of restraints that ultimately led to a home design that embraced the natural landscape and nestles into the topography.

The Vessel House functions as a gallery for the owner’s art, motorcycles, Tiffany lamps, and vintage musical instruments – offering spaces to exhibit, store, and listen. These gallery nodes overlap with the typical house program of kitchen, dining, living, and bedroom, creating dynamic zones of transition and rooms that serve dual purposes allowing guests to relax in a museum setting.

Through its materiality, connection to nature, and open planning, the Vessel House continues many of the Usonian principles Wright advocated for. Chris Johns will provide insights into the design of one of ThoughtCraft Architects’ extraordinary recent mid-century home projects.

At the end of these dynamic presentations, there will be a brief Q&A session to discuss key points from the webinar.

Photo courtesy of Vetter Architects

Located on a lake outside of Milwaukee, the Vessel House is the culmination of an intense 5 year collaboration with our client and multiple local craftsmen focused on the creation of a modern analogue to the Usonian Home.

	John Vetter, AIA is principal of Vetter Architects. Since 1985, the vision of Vetter Architects has always remained consistent—to provide Living Architecture that enriches and brings joy to everyday living. The firm’s work is connected to nature and rooted with a deep understanding of place and lifestyle. Their process is holistic, combining design and construction into a single act. As an award-winning design studio, Vetter Architects is recognized for its elegant solutions, meticulous attention to detail and the highest level of business professionalism. Vetter Architects believes in the importance of trust and the firm welcomes the opportunity to earn yours.
	John Patrick Winberry, AIA is the founding partner and architect at The Up Studio, an architecture, interior, and brand design studio in New York City, specializing in contemporary design. John’s approach to architecture balances theory and approachability, comfortably guiding the client to an understanding of complex design theories. He is particularly drawn to simplicity and duality in design, using minimalist designs to maximize solutions across projects all while trying to bring joy and fun to the process.
	Chris Johns, AIA, NCARB is the founding partner of ThoughtCraft Architects. Chris leads the Boston studio with a balanced approach based on his breadth of experience gained over more than two decades of award-winning design and hands-on construction. He thrives as the firm conductor: when faced with a complex situation involving many factors, Chris enjoys managing all the variables, aligning and realigning them until things are arranged in the most productive configuration possible. He thoroughly enjoys figuring out the best way to get things done. His design experience includes mixed-use, multifamily housing, adaptive reuse, custom homes, civic, university and commercial office buildings in multiple U.S. states and Canada. Prior to forming ThoughtCraft with Jason, Chris was a project manager and designer for notable firms including ARCHITECTS hgw, DiMella Shaffer, and Paul Lukez Architecture. Chris holds a Master of Architecture degree and an Urban Design Certificate from M.I.T., a Bachelor of Design degree and graduate studies in Building Construction Management from the University of Florida, and an associate’s degree from St. Petersburg College. The presentations will be followed by a moderated discussion focused on how these innovative custom home projects address several key issues.