This Old (Modern) House

Last week saw the beginning of This Old House's latest project on PBS, "a mid-century Modern house for biotech bachelor, George Mabry" in Cambridge, Mass. Though I missed last week's episode, I did catch today's show, where architect Will Ruhl presented a model and some elevations that add to and renovate the existing house. A tour of the Pilot Hill House in Vineyard Haven, also on the show, indicates the architect is skilled in bridging traditional and Modern forms.


Pre-This Old House state


Proposed front and rear elevations

Ruhl's design tastefully adds a third and forth floor, while improving the unexceptional design of the house with a layered complexity that is popular today. The rear elevation's generous glazing will be one of the few pieces preserved, at least visibly, from the old house.

Regardless of the quality of the new and old house designs, it should be an interesting season, as the crew of the TV show educates the viewers on the Modern movement, especially in terms of residential architecture, the most successful and lasting influence of a movement loved by many but abhorred by many, many more. While the show may not convert everybody who watches, it will hopefully give them the knowledge to understand the appeal of Modern and contemporary architecture, beyond merely aesthetics.