Breuer house II – 1951

Marcel Breuer – Breuer House II, New Canaan, Connecticut-USA, 1951

Breuer House II is the second home (hence the name) in New Canaan, designed by the Hungarian architect Marcel Breuer. It also became his residence for him and his family after they emigrated from Europe to the United States. Marcel Breuer and his wife acquired the property in 1951 and was able to complete construction by the end of the same year. The gardens and terraces were completed a year later.
Unlike his first home on Sunset Hill Road, Breuer House I, New Canaan, this house was designed to be a one-story, flat-roofed structure covered with stone and glass, a flat roofed carport. The stone has been integrated as the main building material and is particular for the region. The house was designed around a U-shaped floor that encloses a courtyard with a stone terrace. A key feature of this house was the concentration on public living spaces. The main bedroom and a bathroom were located at one end. The children's room, the guest bedrooms and an additional bathroom were at the other, all centrally connected by the kitchen, utility room and heating room. Like Breuer's first home, the interior has integrated a neutral scheme with bold touches of primary colors accompanied by vibrant works of art.

In 1975 the Breuer sold the property and was redesigned and renewed by the new owners. The works were completed between 1975 and 1982. The restorations were then presented in the Architectural Record Houses in 1981. As part of the redesign, a new one-story children's wing was added, a new garage, swimming pool, underground pool house and finally a greenhouse.

The property has changed several times since 1990 and was finally purchased to save the house from demolition. The current owners, Robert Bishop, are removing additions made between 1975 and 1982. A self-supporting structure was designed and built by Toshiko Mori. The latest works will join the original house through the implementation of a glass staircase.

This house was considered very contemporary and innovative when it was originally built, it was subsequently published in several publications including the New York Times and Holiday Magazine.