Contemporary, Other

The Vanna Venturi house: Robert Venturi's groundbreaking design for his mother is one of the most influential buildings of the latter half of the 20th century. Named one of the "10 Buildings That Changed America" and widely considered the first post-modern building in the United States, to say it is notable among architects is an understatement. Many world-renowned building designers and critics have made pilgrimages to this residence, hidden in the heart of Chestnut Hill, and it has been the subject of numerous essays and critiques and was memorialized in 2005 on a U.S. postage stamp. Beautifully maintained and true to its original design, this small house showcases big ideas at every turn. To the amateur eye it can be puzzling, but with some education about its juxtaposition of traditional design against more complex forms, its status as a groundbreaking residential design becomes clear. The interior is designed around rectangular, diagonal and curving elements. Shifts in ceiling volume and windows in traditional and surprising places create an ever-changing light inside. An all-white kitchen is separate from the main living space; its bank of windows is at a perfect height to view sun-splashed lawn. As in every room of the house, there is a door leading outside. The adjacent main entry and dining area feature original Carrara marble flooring; the remainder of the first floor is finished in hardwood. A set of sliding doors opens from the dining area to a very private covered patio. There is much to take in in the home's main living space, including its intriguing main stairway, oversized fireplace, built-in bookcases and Venturi's interpretation of a chair rail. Two bedrooms, both with built-in bookcases and picture windows plus a full bath in original tile, complete the first floor. The staircase design narrows as one reaches the private upstairs bedroom, bath and "stairway to nowhere." This bedroom features a full-width lunette window and double door to a second-story sitting area. Surrounding this most notable house is much of its original landscape plan, which has been lovingly maintained including an arc of crab apple trees, shade gardens and sunny perennial beds. We are honored to represent this masterpiece offered for the first time in 43 years.