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House in New Castle CountyHouse in New Castle County © Venturi, Scott Brown Collection/The Architectural Archives, University of Pennsylvania/Photo by Matt Wargo

House in New Castle County

Delaware, U.S. Robert Venturi, John Rauch, and Denise Scott Brown (architects). 1978–1983 C.E. Wood frame and stucco.

Curator Note

"A Postmodernist rebellion against the "less is more" austerity of the International Style. Venturi declared "Less is a bore." This house is a playful collage of historical references (Classical arches, Doric columns) that are flattened, exaggerated, and distorted. It brings whimsy, decoration, and complexity back into architecture."

Form

  • Postmodern style (eclectic, messy).
  • Flattened "cardboard" facade.
  • Oversized / distorted classical elements (floating arch).
  • Asymmetrical and quirky.
  • Wood frame with stucco siding.

Function

  • Private residence for a family (and birdwatching).
  • To challenge Modernist dogmas.
  • To incorporate humor and decoration.
  • To fit into the rural landscape (referencing barns).
  • To solve the complexity of the client's needs.

Content

  • The "Doric" columns: are actually flat cutouts.
  • The Arch: goes nowhere, purely decorative.
  • The Austrian Baroque facade: flattened into a billboard.
  • Interior: high ceilings, diverse windows for views.
  • "Decorated Shed": structure + ornament.

Context

  • Venturi wrote "Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture".
  • Response to the coldness of Mies van der Rohe.
  • Clients were a professor and a musician.
  • Embraces popular culture and history.
  • Marks the end of the strict Modernist era.