The Sarasota Architectural Foundation (SAF) has announced that a replica of Paul Rudolph’s Walker Guest House will be constructed at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida. It is hoped the iconic, 24' x 24' vacation cottage will be opened to the public by 2015, after which it will be disassembled and transported to select museums around the country.
More information about the Walker Guest House, after the break...
As can be seen in the Walker Guest House, Paul Rudolph’s modernist architecture is characterized by a particular attention to climate and terrain. Built in 1952, the house remains an example of both the modernist architecture movement as well as a very specific approach to sustainable design.
Using only standard, locally sourced materials, the Walker Guest House pays respect to its environmental context of southwest Florida. Large windows and screens on all four sides of the house allow air to flow throughout the dwelling, removing the need for air-conditioning whilst simultaneously providing generous views out towards the landscape.
One of the more whimsical components of the cottage are the series of ropes and pulleys, counterbalanced by large red concrete balls, that control the external window shades. These shades ensure flexibility by providing the dwelling with security, permeability and shelter from the sun. This allows the architecture to remain dynamic, adapting to the changing needs of the occupants while "gracefully" withstanding the elements.
