ENVISIONING MODERN LIFE

Although not well known for his domestic architecture, Eero Saarinen produced important residential designs that underscored his ability to advance the modernist ideals of the free plan, continuity between inside and out, and the use of industrial building materials and methods. In 1937 he designed A Combined Living-Dining Room-Study project for Architectural Forum and during World War II participated in competitions and initiatives that sought to develop housing prototypes for returning veterans and their families. Saarinen’s explorations of modern domestic architecture culminated in 1957 with the completion of the Miller House which, because of its ample budget, allowed Saarinen to work on a grand scale with rich materials. The house is a brilliant exemplar of Saarinen’s search for a total environment, involving numerous collaborators and synthesizing architecture, landscape, and interior design.