Projects by Name

In 1946, Breuer created preliminary designs for a house for Layng and Jean Martine in Stamford, CT. Breuer was also planning to build a house at the time, and the two men proposed building their houses simultaneously on adjoining lots. The design for the Martine house was very similar to that for the Fischer Guest House. A stone base containing a future apartment and storage supported a larger volume housing the main living spaces. The larger volume cantilevered beyond the ends of the lower story and was clad in vertical siding at the center and in diagonal siding at either end. Large windows, screened by a sunshade, ran the length of the central portion of the façade. Exterior stairs led up to a balcony accessible from the living-dining room. Martine's initial enthusiasm for the design receded upon further consideration, and he felt that the design did not take advantage of the site, ignoring views and exposing the house to cold winds from the north. The clients also disagreed about the appropriate fees and paid a little over half what Breuer had originally proposed.