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Castle House

Excellent
  • Mid-Century Modern
  • Identity of Building/Site
  • History of Building/Site

Castle House

Credit

Ezra Stoller

Site overview

This is a private home. Perched atop the rocky coast of New London, CT, and seemingly at the base of the iconic New London Harbor Light, the “Castle House” stands as one of the most significant examples of 1960s residential design in a state known for such style houses. The Castle House was completed in 1964 from plans by German-born architect Ulrich Franzen (1921-2012), who attended the Harvard Graduate School of Design after his service in WWII. After graduating, Franzen worked under I.M. Pei, until he formed his own firm, Ulrich Franzen & Associates, in 1955. The residence's signature element is its dramatic free-floating glass living room pavilion at the rear with cantilevered paraboloid vaults and flanking service wings, with a jaw-dropping cypress butterfly ceiling. Additionally, the oval pool sits over the harbor water and provides the best possible views of the 1801 lighthouse towering above. The house was recently updated by SchappacherWhite, a design firm who are known for their thoughtful Mid-Century Modern house preservation projects.

Castle House

Credit

Buildings of New England

Site overview

This is a private home. Perched atop the rocky coast of New London, CT, and seemingly at the base of the iconic New London Harbor Light, the “Castle House” stands as one of the most significant examples of 1960s residential design in a state known for such style houses. The Castle House was completed in 1964 from plans by German-born architect Ulrich Franzen (1921-2012), who attended the Harvard Graduate School of Design after his service in WWII. After graduating, Franzen worked under I.M. Pei, until he formed his own firm, Ulrich Franzen & Associates, in 1955. The residence's signature element is its dramatic free-floating glass living room pavilion at the rear with cantilevered paraboloid vaults and flanking service wings, with a jaw-dropping cypress butterfly ceiling. Additionally, the oval pool sits over the harbor water and provides the best possible views of the 1801 lighthouse towering above. The house was recently updated by SchappacherWhite, a design firm who are known for their thoughtful Mid-Century Modern house preservation projects.

Castle House

Credit

Buildings of New England

Site overview

This is a private home. Perched atop the rocky coast of New London, CT, and seemingly at the base of the iconic New London Harbor Light, the “Castle House” stands as one of the most significant examples of 1960s residential design in a state known for such style houses. The Castle House was completed in 1964 from plans by German-born architect Ulrich Franzen (1921-2012), who attended the Harvard Graduate School of Design after his service in WWII. After graduating, Franzen worked under I.M. Pei, until he formed his own firm, Ulrich Franzen & Associates, in 1955. The residence's signature element is its dramatic free-floating glass living room pavilion at the rear with cantilevered paraboloid vaults and flanking service wings, with a jaw-dropping cypress butterfly ceiling. Additionally, the oval pool sits over the harbor water and provides the best possible views of the 1801 lighthouse towering above. The house was recently updated by SchappacherWhite, a design firm who are known for their thoughtful Mid-Century Modern house preservation projects.

Castle House

Credit

Buildings of New England

Site overview

This is a private home. Perched atop the rocky coast of New London, CT, and seemingly at the base of the iconic New London Harbor Light, the “Castle House” stands as one of the most significant examples of 1960s residential design in a state known for such style houses. The Castle House was completed in 1964 from plans by German-born architect Ulrich Franzen (1921-2012), who attended the Harvard Graduate School of Design after his service in WWII. After graduating, Franzen worked under I.M. Pei, until he formed his own firm, Ulrich Franzen & Associates, in 1955. The residence's signature element is its dramatic free-floating glass living room pavilion at the rear with cantilevered paraboloid vaults and flanking service wings, with a jaw-dropping cypress butterfly ceiling. Additionally, the oval pool sits over the harbor water and provides the best possible views of the 1801 lighthouse towering above. The house was recently updated by SchappacherWhite, a design firm who are known for their thoughtful Mid-Century Modern house preservation projects.

Castle House

Credit

Buildings of New England

Site overview

This is a private home. Perched atop the rocky coast of New London, CT, and seemingly at the base of the iconic New London Harbor Light, the “Castle House” stands as one of the most significant examples of 1960s residential design in a state known for such style houses. The Castle House was completed in 1964 from plans by German-born architect Ulrich Franzen (1921-2012), who attended the Harvard Graduate School of Design after his service in WWII. After graduating, Franzen worked under I.M. Pei, until he formed his own firm, Ulrich Franzen & Associates, in 1955. The residence's signature element is its dramatic free-floating glass living room pavilion at the rear with cantilevered paraboloid vaults and flanking service wings, with a jaw-dropping cypress butterfly ceiling. Additionally, the oval pool sits over the harbor water and provides the best possible views of the 1801 lighthouse towering above. The house was recently updated by SchappacherWhite, a design firm who are known for their thoughtful Mid-Century Modern house preservation projects.

Castle House

Credit

Buildings of New England

Site overview

This is a private home. Perched atop the rocky coast of New London, CT, and seemingly at the base of the iconic New London Harbor Light, the “Castle House” stands as one of the most significant examples of 1960s residential design in a state known for such style houses. The Castle House was completed in 1964 from plans by German-born architect Ulrich Franzen (1921-2012), who attended the Harvard Graduate School of Design after his service in WWII. After graduating, Franzen worked under I.M. Pei, until he formed his own firm, Ulrich Franzen & Associates, in 1955. The residence's signature element is its dramatic free-floating glass living room pavilion at the rear with cantilevered paraboloid vaults and flanking service wings, with a jaw-dropping cypress butterfly ceiling. Additionally, the oval pool sits over the harbor water and provides the best possible views of the 1801 lighthouse towering above. The house was recently updated by SchappacherWhite, a design firm who are known for their thoughtful Mid-Century Modern house preservation projects.

How to Visit

Private residence

Location

Castle House

800 Pequot Avenue
New London, CT, 06320

Country

United States

Case Study House No. 21

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Credit:

Ezra Stoller

Credit:

Buildings of New England

Credit:

Buildings of New England

Credit:

Buildings of New England

Credit:

Buildings of New England

Credit:

Buildings of New England

Designer(s)

Ulrich Franzen

Architect

Related Sites

Completion

1964

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