More Case Study Love - Rapson Greenbelt by Wieler
As I've said in recent posts, I've fallen really hard for the Case Study Houses. I like the Eames' CSH#8 a lot, yes, but I'm probably most drawn to the simplicity of the never-built CSH#4 by Ralph Rapson. It's just two simple rectangles, one for public spaces and one for private spaces, simultaneously separated and connected by an atrium. Every room is offered a view of nature, and the flow of the occupants is affected by its extreme proximity to the otherwise totally man made industrial space. Rapson named the house "The Greenbelt" after the organic space formed between the two structural boxes.
Look at this illustration of the home, featured on a cover from Architecture magazine (March '05):
I love the commuter chopper. Even in the early post-WWII days, sprawl and the disconnectedness of suburbia were on the architect's mind. I guess back then the answer seemed obvious. A Jeep, the original fashion/lifestyle vehicle, first SUV, toy of new wealth in a prospering nation, resides in the driveway ready for fun weekends. Despite modern trappings, Wifey is hanging clothes to dry on a line outside. I still remember when my grandparents, people of that generation, hung their clothes out. The last time I saw that anywhere was probably over twenty years ago. I bet it would come back into fashion today as a green alternative to the energy consumed by clothes dryers, except that subdivision association bylaws wouldn't stand for it for a minute. Carports should come back in style too. I hate garages.
As I said, the Greenbelt was never built. Was it too weird? I can't believe it was. I wonder what the story was, why it wasn't built, even when so many Case Study Homes were. I like it. It's the kind of simple yet fascinating house I go for.
You can have one now, sort of. Wieler makes prefab "Rapson Greenbelts," in many different versions, inspired by the original CSH#4, and actually designed by the man himself, and his firm, Rapson Architects. Rapson, a native Michigander like me, is alive and active as ever at age ninety-three.
Here are a couple of looks at Wieler's Rapsons:
They're not quite as groovy as the original. The greenspace is toned down considerably, turned into a regular room in the house, and the simplicity of the original is kind of gone. Still, I like them. They look very bright and clean. My favorite is the split level version, though I'd still rather live in the original CSH#4 design.
I suggest that if you build one you also invest in a very appropriate Rapson Rocker. It's almost as cool as my beloved Eames.
And definitely get yourself a "Ralph" model modern birdhouse to place outside your kitchen window. No Wieler Greenbelt would be complete without one. Even a humble sparrow deserves to live in stylish modern digs.
It's great to see the Case Study legacy live on, in any form. It's even better to see the original architect still involved in bringing great design to life. Ralph Rapson does rule!!!!
Image credits - all images from Wieler site
3 comment(s):
I don't know all the details, but I believe one copy of the Greenbelt was built for an exhibition somewhere - it was built inside a large exhibition hall and somewhere on the internet there are pictures of that floating around.
I also love this house, and the optimism of the drawings.
I found a reference to it in this document on Wieler's site:
http://wieler.com/documents/Rapson_in_Architecture_mag.pdf
I'll quote it, Rapson speaking:
" John (Entenza) wasn't able to find anyone interested in putting up money for an urban house, so the house didn't get built." The "Greenbelt" house, known as Case Study No. 4, was constructed 45 years later inside the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles as part ofan exhibition on the Case Study program."
There are photos of that house built from the original design somewhere - I've seen them.
I just realized this document is a reprint of the article from the Architecture magazine whose cover you show at the top of the entry.
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