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INNOVATION IN ARCHITECHURE: PHILIP JOHNSON IN DA HOUSE by Marauder

INNOVATION IN ARCHITECHURE: PHILIP JOHNSON IN DA HOUSE

Philip Johnson is the only architect I know of fully willing to employ hip hop lingo on a whim.  The building above is called Da Monsta for this very reason.  Completed in 1995, this is last building constructed by Johnson on his home property in New Canaan, CT before his death in 2005.  Johnson was 98 years old when he died.

This building is a nod to Le Corbusier sculpture constructed out of a wire mesh molded to shape with concrete poured over top.  The middle layer is Styrofoam and the inside plaster.  In essence, Johnson attempted to construct a building in a way formerly incomprehensible.  Hence, in my eyes, a true innovator.

Does anyone else feel a little Beetlejuice vibe here?

Inside Da Monsta

Probably best known for The Glass House, Philip Johnson is my favorite architect.  My life over the last 10 years has revolved around his buildings in some shape or form.  I spent most of my university life in the philosophy building at Brown University located directly adjacent to the List Art Center, designed by one Philip Johnson.

The List Art Center in Providence, RI (completed 1971)

I moved to NYC a year after graduation and fell in love in front of The Seagram building (and yes, I can in fact attribute it to this exact moment as it was a discussion point at the time).  Designers: Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson

The Seagram Building in NYC (completed 1958)

Soon thereafter, I had a strange cocktail outing with a couple of Wall Street finance dudes and one much younger early 20-something trying to fit in (c’est moi!) while doing something that can only be described as slightly shady in The Four Seasons Restaurant.  Located within The Seagram building, this restaurant was also designed by Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson.

The Four Seasons Restaurant in the Seagram Building

Years later, I nursed a break-up with Phish Food, my PJ’s, and a Philip Johnson documentary that left me entranced.  The documentary was meant as a walk-thru of Johnson’s home in New Canaan CT, located on 47 acres of land, as guided by the owner himself.  The aforementioned, Glass House, served as his home until his death.  This past weekend, over one year since it has been open to the public, I got the chance to view the property for myself.

Johnson stated, “My place in New Canaan is. . .the diary of an eccentric architect.”  Welcome home.

Outside the Glass House

Inside the Glass House

I had to throw in this pic of Alex in because it reminded me of the moment in Ferris Beuller’s Day Off where Ferris convinces Cameron to let him borrow his dad’s Ferrari.

The Living Room

Above on the left are Barcelona chairs as designed by Mies van der Rohe.  A friend once asked me to help him move from his house in CT to NYC.  I had no idea one of these chairs was part of the enterprise.  Should this ever happen to you, back away slowly.  It will undoubtedly give you back problems.  The metal base is heavier than you can imagine.

Constructed entirely of glass exterior walls, the only room without a view to the exterior is the bathroom located in a oddly shaped room in the middle of the structure.

The Bathroom

Outside the House

To stand in the house is to awe at its uniqueness, and for me, to feel intensely uncomfortable.  I have never been that exposed to my exterior surroundings and the resulting vertigo made me think that Johnson had served me with an after-death therapy session.  Regardless, the house is a monument to innovation and to that innovation I tip my iPhone. . .

More Images of the Property

Click here.

To learn more and schedule a visit of your own in 2009, click here.

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