“The best house is the Weston Havens House in Berkeley, Calif., by Harwell Hamilton Harris. It combines all of the romance and warmth of California regionalism with the boldness and functional clarity of Modernism. A whole flank of rooms look out to the sky and Golden Gate [Bridge], yet it's also built into a hillside with a sheltered courtyard. So in one gesture, it combines the most ancient house type—the courtyard house—and it looks outward with a 20th century sensibility.”
—Frank Harmon, FAIA, Frank Harmon Architect, Raleigh, N.C.
“One that will always be close to my heart is the Villa Savoye by Le Corbusier. It's the ultimate example of Modern design. I grew up admiring this home, and I'm sure it influenced me in becoming an architect. I love the merge of interior and exterior space and the open, flexible floor plan.”
—Clint Larkan, Associate AIA, Clint M. Larkan Design Studio, Alexandria, Va.
“I would have to start with the Maison de Verre by Pierre Chareau. It's surprisingly modern in its detailing—from its perforated panels to its custom light fixtures—and also in its attitude about modular construction. It's a very compelling example of what can be achieved with a very constrained urban site.”
—Gregory Klosowski, AIA, ellipsis a+d, Oakland, Calif.
“The Hill House by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in Helensburgh, Scotland. The way it sits on the site. The quality of ight and control of materials. The consistency of aesthetics at every level—from landscape to façade to furniture to hardware. Totally designed and yet not overbearing or precious. It feels like home ought to feel.” —Richard P. Williams, AIA, Richard Williams Architects, Washington, D.C.
