Bringing Indoors and Outdoors Together through Mid-Century Design

 
 

Built in 1963 as a spec house by theater stage set designer Ralph Alswang in a new style he called “carpenter modern,” Blau House is a Modern home that reflects the legacy of Westport, Connecticut’s Mid-20th century era. When the Blau’s bought the house the following year, they began work on a surrounding garden, lush with a unique combination of shade trees, rhododendrons and a blend of native and exotic plants that contrasted neighbors’ highly manicured grassy lawns. Now an integrated indoor-outdoor property, the Blau House and Gardens combines clean lines with a fusion of organic and manmade materials, and large modern windows to frame views and open up to nature.

On Friday, August 5th, AYON Studio principal Angel Ayón joined other architects and preservationists for a tour and roundtable to envision the house and gardens as one, and save them as a new cultural and horticultural destination. Organized by the Blau House & Gardens, the round table discussed ways to save the Blau property from demolition and development and how it can be transformed into a community resource for educational programming.

The Blau House and Gardens, Inc, (BHG) is a non-profit public charity highlighting mid-20th century modern design through horticulture, arts, and culture. The charity aims to establish the house and gardens for community use. The Blau tour and roundtable aim to create awareness of the property while discussing the value of Mid-century Modern homes and sites.