Portrait of P-Town
Pt. 3

"cape cod homes and light"

I finally arrived back in Los Angeles, and I am beginning
to sort through hundreds of photos of Cape Cod architecture.
Not only did the Cape captivate me with food, architecture, and salty air,
but the light in that area of the world is unique. Soft, warm, gentle
light that bounces off the wood shingles onto the streets, with
different strengths through the day. It might lull you into sweet oblivion, or wake you
from a restful nap on the rocky coast.

Either way, you win.

good light!

"A Cape Cod cottage is a style of house originating in New England in the 17th century. It is traditionally characterized by a low, broad frame building, generally a story and a half high, with a steep, perfectly pitched roof with end gables, a large central chimney and very little ornamentation."

missing the light of the cape today......

Portrait of P-Town
Pt. 3

"cape cod homes and light."







---

Walter Gropius,
Modernism, & Cape Cod.



"pioneer of the glass curtain wall and prefabricated housing; founder of the single most influential force on modern design, the Bauhaus."

"Modern Cape Cod!"

Yesterday, while in the midst of a summer bike ride on the Cape,
a friend pointed up towards the top of the hill to point out the Murchison House,
built by Walter Gropius in the late 1950's.

The house, in its current state (top photo) is slowly being restored, and sits upon a hill overlooking the bay. After a long ride through the streets, we headed back to the
Lobster Pot, an institution, for some Wellfleet oysters & lobsters. Run!


--------------------------









"A Japanese temple was used as the inspiration for the home. The house’s canopied entrance, not visible from the street below, and the two roofs further evoke the oriental character. The Architectural Record article goes on to say: "The plan of the living areas also suggests the Japanese. There are no rooms in the conventional sense, but rather living spaces which blend together, and are linked by a broad gallery.

The house has an architectural impressiveness not often seen today." To take advantage of the views, the top floor of the house contains the main living areas. The bottom floor was reserved for functional and service areas such as Mr. Murchison’s office and guest rooms. The house was built with every amenity. Service areas included a refrigerated room for the storage of woolens and furs, a food storage area, an air conditioning system and emergency power generator. The site also has a terrace surrounding three sides of the house and a swimming pool."





-Laurel Guadazno
(read more here..)










------------------