ZIONSVILLE
Fortense-Simmons House
atelierRISTING
The original mid-century modern house was designed in 1955 by renowned Indianapolis architect Edward Pierre, located on a peninsula surrounded on three sides by ravines in the woods. A "glass pavilion" addition was completed in 2018, while connected to the house, it is respectful to the original design by juxtaposing it with different roof planes and glass reveals, as well as cantilevering into the woods. The home owner is also the business owner of Form + Function, which sells modern furniture and accessories, which can be seen in his house, as well as his collection of Aalto vases and exquisite art.
Q&A
THE GREATEST DESIGN CHALLENGE
The greatest challenge was where to locate the addition to the existing house, which is surrounded on three sides by a steep slope. The solution was creating an exposed concrete foundation close to the house and cantilevering the addition out over the steeper slope. This was both a design and construction challenge.
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WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
How the addition blends with the original architect-designed mid-century house, but it is also distinguished as a pavilion, subtlety separated and independent of the original house. While the cantilever is a unique feature of the exterior, it is even a greater experience from within of floating in the woods over the ravine. The greatest pride was working with the Helmut and Katie and their satisfaction with the addition.
MUST-SEE DESIGN FEATURE
The entryway with the subtle separation of the addition and the original house, with the slot window and raised roof with slips in between the original flat and sloped roofs. The challenge is to search for where the original entry doorway was.
DESIGN INSPIRATION
The inspiration was the original mid-century house designed by Edward Pierre, with its exposed wood beams and ceiling. The glass walls were influenced by a Glass Cabin (in Iowa) that I had previously designed and was building at the time.
TAKE AWAYS
This house is a unique example of an architect design mid-century house and an 21th century addition, that blend together with nature.