DESIGN CONCEPT

Richard Meier completed The Smith House in 1967 whilst he was part of the group, The Five Architects, which consisted of Peter Eisenman, Michael Graves, Charles Gwathmey, John Hejduk and Richard Meier.   The work of these five New York City architects all had a common allegiance to a pure form of architectural modernism, harkening back to the work of Le Corbusier in the 1920’s and 1930’s.

In true Le Corbusier style, The Smith House was created from a basic modernist cube base, with Meier adding and subtracting elements which in turn house the zones which separate the private and public sections of the house.

The bedrooms and private areas are located at the rear of the house, which is more enclosed with small openings to protect the occupants privacy, whilst the social and entertaining areas located at the front which has an open façade with large glass panels offering extensive views over the horizon.

The house is nestled into a wooded hillside sloping towards the water, and has been described as a white prism emerging from the trees.  Although many perceive the house to be made from concrete, it is in fact made of wood, with brick pillar chimney and metallic interiors.

AWARDS

•    Arch. Digest House of the Year, 1968
•    35 Year Award – Architectural Record


FEATURES

4 Bedrooms, 2 fireplaces,
Private beach and dock
Wooded suburban enclave, rocky shores


LOCATION

Darien, Connecticut


RATES
One month minimum.  $24,000 USD/month June-August.  $14,000/month September-May