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An almost post-modern interpretation of the classic American center hall Colonial. |
We often forget the surge of homes built in Plainfield following World War II in our preoccupation with the grand homes of the Queen City's first three-quarters of a century as a city.
World War II had some dramatic outcomes -- apart from the Allies' victory over the Axis powers.
Among these were the savings piled up during the war years by defense industry workers who had few places to go and little on which to spend their money (it was, after all, also the era of rationing of everything from gasoline to nylons). And the pent-up demand for housing and consumer goods for the new families the returning GIs were starting.
Plainfield was no exception, with development of everything from the GI apartments now known as Plainfield Gardens to our own Levittown-like neighborhood of Brisbane Estates to several streets, including this one, on which stands of more upscale homes were built.
This one is a fine example of a 1940s-50s interpretation of the classic American CHC, or Center Hall Colonial. It is almost post-modern in its references to the classic form -- the deep-set entry way, the formal placement of windows in the main building element and the circular ventilator in the gable -- yet done with what was then a distinctly 'modern' flair.
Do you know where this gracious home is?
World War II had some dramatic outcomes -- apart from the Allies' victory over the Axis powers.
Among these were the savings piled up during the war years by defense industry workers who had few places to go and little on which to spend their money (it was, after all, also the era of rationing of everything from gasoline to nylons). And the pent-up demand for housing and consumer goods for the new families the returning GIs were starting.
Plainfield was no exception, with development of everything from the GI apartments now known as Plainfield Gardens to our own Levittown-like neighborhood of Brisbane Estates to several streets, including this one, on which stands of more upscale homes were built.
This one is a fine example of a 1940s-50s interpretation of the classic American CHC, or Center Hall Colonial. It is almost post-modern in its references to the classic form -- the deep-set entry way, the formal placement of windows in the main building element and the circular ventilator in the gable -- yet done with what was then a distinctly 'modern' flair.
Do you know where this gracious home is?
-- Dan Damon [follow]
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7 comments:
Field and Alletta...my old neighborhood!
Field Ave. 1200 block??? near the backyard of Ducret school of arts.
Sure do...Pass it on my daily walk on Field Avenue.
That really is a nicely designed home. There are even homes like this in Sleepy Hollow... wonder if the same architect designed these modern brick colonials? But is this one on Kenyon Avenue out by Cedarbrook Park?
That's one of our former neighbors corner Alletta +Field Av
--Rita Goldstein
Field Avenue.
Lois
Interesting to note, many of the houses that have been noted by Dan are in the West End of Plainfield. A section of town that is often viewed not very kindly. We must learn to embrace all of Plainfields' beauty and improve the areas that are challenged!
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