I would like to throw down a challenge to Those who are living in the past on the Main Line. Live in the present and give up your Buggy Whips! Here is the basis of the challenge: A few weekends ago I spent a Sunday volunteering as a docent for an historic house tour for the Lower Merion Conservancy. There were five houses and a church set as stops on a very lovely Fall day. I was sent to a little cluster of homes in Ardmore, PA that were designed in 1938. All of the other structures on the tour fell easily into nice, easily identifiable traditional styles of Victorian, Neo-Classical, and the like. The little structure I was honored to present was designed by Frank :Lloyd Wright and is called "Sun Top Homes. Sun Top was designed over 70 years ago and the work contains most of the elements of what one would call Modern architecture. The fact that this home and all modern design is almost non existent where I live made me think of the Horse and Carriage. I never see Horses drawing buggies at all these days except when I see them in Lancaster, Pa being driven by the Pennsylvania Amish. They are an anachronism. If the Horse and Carriage have been replaced why is it that most of the homes being built today are designed to look like they were built over 100 years ago? I challenge you to look at Modern Architecture.
The Pennsylvania Amish, for those who do not know their culture, do not accept Modern technology. Their entire community strictly prohibits the use of anything that uses an engine or electricity. Needless to say when you visit their communities you never see any homes or structures designed in the Modern style. The PA Amish reject modernism based on strongly held religious beliefs that prevent them from moving into the 21st century. I can accept their rejection of Modern Architecture because it is against their culture's very essence. Why is it that Modern Architecture is rejected by the mainstream of American culture?
We live in a time where the Automobile has replaced the Horse and Carriage. Most of us have Computers with Internet connection, Cellular Phones, Televisions ( now flat), Air Conditioning and a few other devices that are quite wonderful inventions. If you do not have at least two of these devices you would not be able to function on a high level in our society. If we accept modern technology then why is it that Americans cling to traditional styles of architecture? It would almost be like driving down the street in a car designed to look like a Buggy. So, as an architect who loves modern design I am wondering what it is going to take to get you to throw away your buggy whips, get on your computers, and find the beauty of Modernism.
We have several nice examples in our area of good contemporary design. These include the Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Ardmore (though they need a bit of loving right now), a Louis I, Kahn home in Wynnewood and Kahn's dormitory for Bryn Mawr College. There is even a small Richard Neutra home in Gladwyn. Seek out these and other designs and you can see that modernism can be as beautiful as any style of architecture. If you are ready to give up your Horse and Buggy I am sure you can find a talented architect, which I think I am, who would be more than willing to design a home that is of this century and its technology, that is as beautiful as any traditional home. The Gauntlet has been cast. Who will put their hat in the ring?
