In general, I remain highly skeptical of the Modernist experiment in residential housing. This house, designed by Walter Gropius, is being restored by its new owner. But, what is restoration? The construction techniques and materials employed by the modern practitioners from the 30's, 40's and 50's were not particularly novel or robust. Or, when they were novel, they were unsuited to New England. This place is no exception and I see any effort at restoration to be an activity framed by the opportunity to make decisions that could improve the functionality of the house but threatening to its authenticity. And what is that "authenticity" that makes it such a relevant example of the period?
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