Henry F. Miller House - International Style Characteristics

International Style Characteristics

The house embodies many distinctive characteristics of postwar International Style architecture:

• post and beam frame: creates flexible interior and frees structure from cladding. Makes possible large expanses of glass, since the walls do not support the structure.
• extensive use of glass: in large fixed sheets, operable windows, and glazed doors—to make the interior light and airy and to provide visual connection to outdoors.
• simple, geometric shapes: including a flat roof.
• untraditional plan: main living spaces on lower level to take advantage of hillside location and allow easy access to terraces. Bathroom divided into three compartments — for tub, toilet, and sink — to allow simultaneous use by more than one person. Planning for privacy: few, small windows toward street; orientation to rear of lot (different from conventional plans, which faced living room toward street).
• integration of structure and site: house is sited on small buildable portion of a lot, on brink of hill leading down to wetlands. Living spaces open to terrace and deck for outdoor living; on upper level, balcony provides further outdoor spaces. Large windows provide sense of connection between interior and exterior as does design of planting bed at foot of stairs. Fences and dividers screen carport from guests' entry and service yard from living spaces. Existing vegetation saved wherever possible and other landscaping executed in naturalistic style to blend with surroundings.

• planning to take advantage of climate: windows face south, with shading computed to allow sunlight into the house in winter, but not in summer. Solid or nearly solid walls facing north, to provide protection from winter winds. Placement of windows and doors to allow cross ventilation. The roof has a parapet that allows it to be flooded in the summer, providing additional cooling.
• extensive storage space: Examples include shallow shelves for cans in kitchen and movable storage walls containing drawers as well as hanging space, which double as room dividers.
• innovative technology: built-in watering system for indoor planting bed. Intercom between kitchen and front door, with electric latch that allows front door to be opened without coming upstairs. Radiant heating in the floor, eliminating radiators in the lower level.
• aesthetics: a sense of openness and space achieved by the use of large windows, open plan, simple forms and the open stairwell, with its large window, open treads, and light rail. Moldings and ornament are eliminated.