A House Rebuilt with Mixed Motifs

From the ashes rises a Mediterranean-style home with eclectic details, commanding views, and comfortable rooms
by John Connell

Even before it was leveled by the infamous Oakland, Calif., wildfire of 1992, Will and Julia Mies's house was hardly the perfect home. Built in 1929 on speculation, the Tudor house was designed for a flat site, but there it had sat, perched on a hillside, two floors above street level, even as the land descended an equal distance to the backyard. While the views were sweeping, the traditional floor plan and smallish windows didn't take full advantage of them.

From Inspired House 2, pp. 56-63
January 1, 2004

Related Topics:
Architecture and Design | Planning | New Construction | Siting a House | Whole House Design | Cabinets and Built-ins | Tile and Stonework
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