Finding aid for the Peter Eisenman architectural drawings for House VI, 1972
Finding aid prepared by J. Gibbs.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Peter Eisenman architectural drawings for House VI
Date (inclusive): 1972
Number: 920049
Creator/Collector:
Eisenman, Peter, 1932-
Physical Description:
63.0 drawing(s)
Repository:
The Getty Research Institute
Special Collections
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, California, 90049-1688
(310) 440-7390
Abstract: Sixty-three architectural drawings in pencil, pen and marker on paper document the design development of House VI, one of
Peter Eisenman's most important early polemical designs. Commissioned by Suzanne and Dick Frank, it was designed and built
in 1972-1975, in Cornwall, Connecticut. All the drawings in this collection date from 1972.
Request Materials: Request access to the physical materials described in this inventory through the
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Language: Collection material is in
English
Biographical/Historical Note
American architect, educator and theoretician, Peter Eisenman founded the Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies in
New York City in 1967. Critics of that time dubbed him one of the New York Five (along with Michael Graves, Charles Gwathmey,
John Hejduk, and Richard Meier), a loose, theoretical and aesthetic grouping of New York architects that presaged Post-Modernism.
The Corbusier-inspired design of House VI, Eisenman's sixth house design, signals the formalist aesthetic of that school.
Commissioned by Suzanne and Dick Frank in 1972 for a site in Cornwall, Connecticut and built in 1975, it was the most polemical
of his designs to date. Published widely, the house thus garnered both recognition and controversy for Eisenman.
Many critics considered House VI, also known as the Frank House, Eisenman's most important work. It certainly generated considerable
dialogue within the architecture community among architects, critics and historians. John Hejduk described the residence as
the "second canonical De Stijl house," a reference to Gerrit Rietveld's Neo-Plastic Schroeder House, although Eisenman took
issue with this conclusion, describing House VI instead as an "inversion" of De Stijl design. Critics have noted Eisenman's
attempt to marry linguistic theory to design; his interest in Noam Chomsky's theory of syntax and transformational grammar
is particularly evident in the series of "transformational" axonometric drawings he made of House VI.
Several of the design drawings in this collection appear in Suzanne Frank's book,
Peter Eisenman's House VI: the client's response, published in 1994.
Administrative Information
Access
Open for use by qualified researchers.
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Peter Eisenman architectural drawings for House VI, 1972, Research Library, The Getty Research Institute, Accession no. 920049
http://hdl.handle.net/10020/cifa920049
Acquisition Information
Acquired from Peter Eisenman in 1992.
Processing History
Processed in 1993, more finely processed and arranged in 2001.
Scope and Content of Collection
Sixty-three architectural drawings in pencil and ink on paper document the complete design development for House VI, also
known as the Frank House. All the drawings are from 1972 and have ID numbers written on them by Eisenman's office. Most critics
and historians consider House VI one of Eisenman's most important early designs. The most theoretical and polemical of his
designs to date, Eisenman described House VI as a turning point in his career. The collection includes an elaborate series
of preliminary sketches that reveal the origin of elements retained in the final design. During the design process, Eisenman
felt that he "achieved a synthesis between the isolation of the architectural sign and the generation of the autonomous object."
Arrangement note
Arranged in one series by the drawings' ID numbers.
Indexing Terms
Subjects - Names
Eisenman, Peter, 1932-
Subjects - Corporate Bodies
House Six (Cornwall, Conn.)
House VI (Cornwall, Conn.)
Subjects - Topics
Architecture, Domestic--United States
Architecture, Postmodern--Designs and plans
Architecture, Postmodern--United States--Connecticut
Architecture--Connecticut--Cornwell--20th century
Subjects - Places
Cornwall (Conn.)--Buildings, structures, etc
Genres and Forms of Material
Architectural drawings (visual works)
Design development drawings
Sketches
Contributors
Eisenman Architects
Frank, Dick
Frank, Suzanne S. (Suzanne Shulof)
Series I.
Design development drawings for House VI,
1972
Physical Description:
1.0 oversized box
Scope and Content Note
Three folders contain the complete design development for House VI, a total of 63 drawings, executed in pencil and ink on
paper. All items date from 1972. Many are annotated with dates and other notes.
Box 1, Folder 1
A.1: Grids with columns, notes, and axonometric sketch,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
Pen and ink on white bond, 8″ × 11″
Box 1, Folder 1
A.2: Grid re-arrangements with notes,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
pencil on white bond, 8″ × 11″
Box 1, Folder 1
A.3: Axonometric grid with black and red intersecting lines,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
red and black ink on white bond, 8″ × 11″
Box 1, Folder 1
A.4: Intersecting rectangles with highlighted lines,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
red, blue and black ink on white bond, 8″ × 11″
Box 1, Folder 1
A.5: Axonometric with elevation,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white, bond, 8″ × 11″ [stained]
Notation: 6C HOC
Box 1, Folder 1
A.6: Axonometric with dimensioned plan,
10 July 1972
Scope and Content Note
ink on white bond 3 -hole punch, 8″ × 11″
Box 1, Folder 2
A.7: Axonometric with car, doodle and notes,
10 July 1972
Scope and Content Note
pencil and ink on yellow bond, 8″ × 11″
Notations: House VI, 10 July 72, HOC
Box 1, Folder 1
A.8: Axonometric with dimensions,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
blue ink on white bond, 6″ × 11″
Box 1, Folder 1
A.9: Axonometric,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace
Box 1, Folder 1
A.10: Isometric with 2 elevations,
10 Nov 1972
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white bond, 8″ × 11″
Notation: 10 Nov 72
Box 1, Folder 1
A.11: Four thumbnail sketches: plan, section, plan detail, and axonometric, with notes,
6 May 1972
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white bond, 8″ × 11″
Notations: 6 May 72, Frank House VI
Box 1, Folder 1
A.12: Isometric of interior furnishings and plan,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white bond, 8″ × 11″
Notation: House six
Box 1, Folder 1
A.13: Photocopy collage of drafted drawing and photograph,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white bond, 8″ × 11″
Notation: East elevation
Box 1, Folder 1
A.14: Shifting plan study with axonometric and notes,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
blue and black ink on white bond, 8″ × 11″
Notations: 6E HOC
Box 1, Folder 1
A.15: Sketches in plan and axonometric,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
black ink on yellow bond 3-hole punch, 8″ × 11″
Box 1, Folder 1
A.16a: Sketch plan diagram with circulation and axonometric detail with dimensions,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
pencil on while bond, 8″ × 11″
Notation: Rockefeller etc
Box 1, Folder 1
A.16b: Plan study and sketch with circulation arrow,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
pencil on white bond, 8″ × 11″
Box 1, Folder 1
A.17: Plan with dimensions,
22 Nov 1972
Scope and Content Note
Pencil, red pencil on white trace (drafted drawing) 14″ × 15″
Notations: Current plan, 22 Nov 72
Box 1, Folder 1
A.18: Construction detail of column, with notes and dimensions,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
Black and red ink on white bond, 8″ × 11″
Notation: Column 2
Box 1, Folder 1
A.19: Detail plan with dimensions and notes in red pen,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
black and red pen, white bond 3-hole punch, 8″ × 11″
Notations: Detail column 21 and 22
Box 1, Folder 1
A.20: Partial plan studies,
5 June 1972
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white bond, 8″ × 11″ [ink blot]
Notations: House VI, 5 Jun 72, HOC
Box 1, Folder 2
A.21: Grid with doodles,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
pencil and blue ink on paper vellum
Box 1, Folder 2
A.22: Grids with thumbnail plans,
20 Aug 1972
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace [torn, ink blot]
Notations: 20 Aug 72, House VI, HOC
Box 1, Folder 2
A.23: Grids with color plan and sketch plan,
21 Aug 1972
Scope and Content Note
black, blue, red ink on white trace
Notations: 21 Aug 72, House VI, HOC
Box 1, Folder 2
A.24: Plans, colored brown, red, black, yellow,
22 Aug 1972
Scope and Content Note
colored inks on white bond, 7 ½″ × 9 ½″
Notations: 22 Aug 72, HOC
Box 1, Folder 2
A.25: Grid with dimensions and arrows,
23 Aug 1972
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white bond, 7 ½″ × 9 ½″
Notations: House VI, 23 Aug 72, HOC
Box 1, Folder 2
A.26: Grids with plans,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace
Notation: HOC
Box 1, Folder 2
A.27: Two plans with dimensions,
21 Aug 1972
Scope and Content Note
orange pencil, brown and black ink on yellow trace, 8″ × 10″
Notations: 21 Aug 72, HOC
Box 1, Folder 2
A.28: Two plans with dimensions,
21 Aug 1972
Scope and Content Note
brown ink on yellow trace, 8″ × 10″
Notations: 21 Aug 72, House VI, HOC
Box 1, Folder 2
A.29: One plan and one partial plan,
21 Aug 1972
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 8″ × 10″
Notations: 21 Aug 72, Ground, House 6
Box 1, Folder 2
A.30: Plan, elevation, and axonometric,
28 Aug 1972
Scope and Content Note
brown ink on yellow trace, 8″ × 10″
Notations: 28 Aug 72, House VI, HOC
Box 1, Folder 2
A.31: Axonometric of cube with blue and red lines [#3],
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
blue, red #2 pencil on white bond, 8″ × 11″
Box 1, Folder 2
A.32: Two axonometrics of cubes with lines and one partial axonometric of cube,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
pencil, red pencil, black, blue, red ink on white bond, 8 ½″ × 14″
Notations: VI, 2/17
Box 1, Folder 2
A.33: Four axonometric cubes with colored cuts,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
black, blue, red ink on white bond, 8 ½″ × 14″
Box 1, Folder 2
A.34: Axonometric cube with red and blue cuts,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
red, blue, black ink on white bond, 8 ½″ × 14″
Notations: VI, 2/18
Box 1, Folder 2
A.35: Three axonometric cubes with colored cuts and one plan,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
pencil, black, blue, red, and green ink on white bond, 8 ½″ × 14″
Notations: 3C - 3D, enuff inside
Box 1, Folder 3
B.1: Axonometric: corner,
28 Dec 1972
Scope and Content Note
black marker on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Notations: 14, SU, 28 Dec 72
Box 1, Folder 3
B.2: Axonometric: corner with shading,
28 Dec 1972
Scope and Content Note
black marker on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Notations: SU, House VI, 17, HOC, 28 Dec 72
Box 1, Folder 3
B.3: Axonometric: corner with shading,
28 Dec 1972
Scope and Content Note
black marker on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Notations: SU, House VI, 16, HOC, 28 Dec 72
Box 1, Folder 3
B.4: Axonometric: corner,
25 Dec 1972
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Notations: 25 Dec 72, 2, NW, House VI
Box 1, Folder 3
B.5: Partial Axonometric: corner,
30 Dec 1972
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Notations: House VI, NW, 30 Dec 72
Box 1, Folder 3
B.6: Axonometric: corner,
30 Dec 1972
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Notations: 30 Dec 72, NW, House VI
Box 1, Folder 3
B.7: Axonometric: corner with penciled numbers,
26 Dec 1972
Scope and Content Note
pencil and black on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Notations: 4, SW, 26 Dec 72, House VI
Box 1, Folder 3
B.8: Axonometric: corner with shading,
28 Dec 1972
Scope and Content Note
black marker on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Notations: 19, HOC, House VI, SW, 28 Dec 72
Box 1, Folder 3
B.9: Axonometric: partial corner,
30 Dec 1972
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Notations: NE, House VI, 30 Dec 72
Box 1, Folder 3
B.10: Axonometric: corner,
26 Dec 1972
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Notations: 6m SW, House VI, 26 Dec 72
Box 1, Folder 3
B.11: Axonometric: corner,
26 Dec 1972
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Notations: 5, SW, House VI, 26 Dec 72
Box 1, Folder 3
B12: Axonometric: corner,
27 Dec 1972
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12″ × 20″ [torn corner]
Notations: 11, HOC, SW, House VI, 27 Dec 72
Box 1, Folder 3
B.13: Axonometric: corner with shading,
26 Dec 1972
Scope and Content Note
black ink. black and blue marker on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Notations: 7, SW, House VI, 26 Dec 72
Box 1, Folder 3
B.14: Axonometric: corner with shading,
27 Dec 1972
Scope and Content Note
black ink, black and blue marker on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Notations: 13, SW, House VI, 27 Dec 72
Box 1, Folder 3
B.15: Axonometric: corner,
22 Dec 1972
Scope and Content Note
black ink and marker on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Notations: 2, HOC, SW, House VI, 22 Dec 72
Box 1, Folder 3
B.16: Axonometric: corner with shading,
28 Dec [1972]
Scope and Content Note
black marker on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Notations: 15, HOC, 28 Dec
Box 1, Folder 3
B.17: Axonometric: partial wall / corner,
27 Dec 1972
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Notations: 10, SW, House VI, 27 Dec 72
Box 1, Folder 3
B.18: Axonometric: corner with shading,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
black marker on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Notation: 18
Box 1, Folder 3
B.19: Axonometric: partial corner,
27 Dec 1972
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Notations: 12, SW, 27 Dec 72, House VI
Box 1, Folder 3
B.20: Axonometric: partial corner,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Box 1, Folder 3
B.21: Axonometric: partial corner,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Box 1, Folder 3
B.22: Axonometric: partial corner,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Box 1, Folder 3
B.23: Axonometric: partial corner,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Box 1, Folder 3
B.24: Axonometric: corner,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Box 1, Folder 3
B.25: Axonometric: partial wall,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Box 1, Folder 3
B.26: Axonometric: partial wall and corner,
23 Dec 1972
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Notations: NW, House VI, 23 Dec 72
Box 1, Folder 3
B.27: Axonometric: partial corner,
23 Dec 1972
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12″ × 20″
Notations: 3, SW, House VI, 23 Dec 72
