INVENTORY OF THE PETER EISENMAN ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS FOR HOUSE VI, 1972

Finding aid prepared by J. Gibbs
The Getty Research Library
Special Collections and Visual Resources
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, California 90049-1688
Phone: (310) 440-7390
Fax: (310) 440-7780
Email: reference@getty.edu
URL: http://www.getty.edu/research/library
©2001
J. Paul Getty Trust.

INVENTORY OF THE PETER EISENMAN ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS FOR HOUSE VI, 1972

Accession no. 920049

Finding aid prepared by J. Gibbs
Getty Research Institute

Contact Information:

  • The Getty Research Library
  • Special Collections and Visual Resources
  • 1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
  • Los Angeles, California 90049-1688
  • Phone: (310) 440-7390
  • Fax: (310) 440-7780
  • Email: reference@getty.edu
  • URL: http://www.getty.edu/research/library
Processed by:
J. Gibbs
Date Completed:
2001, revised 2004
Encoded by:
Apex Data Services; J. Gibbs, revised by Julio Vera
©2001 J. Paul Getty Trust.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Peter Eisenman Architectural drawings for House VI,
Date (inclusive): 1972
Collection number: Accession no. 920049
Creator: Eisenman, Peter, 1932-
Extent: 63 drawings
Repository: The Getty Research Institute
Research Library
Special Collections and Visual Resources
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, California 90049-1688
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.
Language: English.

Administrative Information

Access

Open for use by qualified researchers.

Publication Rights

Contact the Head of Special collections, The Getty Research Institute, for copyright information and permission to publish.

Preferred Citation

Peter Eisenman, Architectural drawings for House VI, 1972, Research Library, The Getty Research Institute, Accession no. 920049

Acquisition Information

Acquired from Peter Eisenman in 1992.

Processing History

Processed in 1993, more finely processed and arranged in 2001.

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.

Scope 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

Arranged in one series by the drawings' ID numbers.

Indexing Terms

Subjects

Architecture-Connecticut-Cornwell-20th century
Architecture, Domestic-United States
Architecture, Postmodern-Designs and plans
Architecture, Postmodern-United States-Connecticut
House Six (Cornwall, Conn.)
House VI (Cornwall, Conn.)

Geographic terms

Cornwall (Conn.)-Buildings, structures, etc

Form/Genre

Architectural drawings
Design development drawings
Sketches

Contributors

Eisenman Architects
Eisenman, Peter, 1932-
Frank, Dick
Frank, Suzanne S. (Suzanne Shulof)


 

Series I. Design development drawings for House VI, 1972,

Physical Description: 3 folders (1 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-A.20

 

A.1: Grids with columns, notes, and axonometric sketch, n.d.

Scope and Content Note

Pen and ink on white bond, 8 × 11
 

A.2: Grid re-arrangements with notes, n.d.

Scope and Content Note

pencil on white bond, 8 × 11
 

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
 

A.4: Intersecting rectangles with highlighted lines, n.d.

Scope and Content Note

red, blue and black ink on white bond, 8 × 11
 

A.5: Axonometric with elevation, n.d.

Scope and Content Note

black ink on white, bond, 8 × 11 [stained]
Notation: 6C HOC
 

A.6: Axonometric with dimensioned plan, 10 July 1972

Scope and Content Note

ink on white bond 3 -hole punch, 8 × 11
 

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
 

A.8: Axonometric with dimensions, n.d.

Scope and Content Note

blue ink on white bond, 6 × 11
 

A.9: Axonometric, n.d.

Scope and Content Note

black ink on white trace
 

A.10: Isometric with 2 elevations, 10 Nov 1972

Scope and Content Note

black ink on white bond, 8 × 11
Notation: 10 Nov 72
 

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
 

A.12: Isometric of interior furnishings and plan, n.d.

Scope and Content Note

black ink on white bond, 8 × 11
Notation: House six
 

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
 

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
 

A.15: Sketches in plan and axonometric, n.d.

Scope and Content Note

black ink on yellow bond 3-hole punch, 8 × 11
 

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
 

A.16b: Plan study and sketch with circulation arrow, n.d.

Scope and Content Note

pencil on white bond, 8 × 11
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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-A.35

 

A.21: Grid with doodles, n.d.

Scope and Content Note

pencil and blue ink on paper vellum
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

A.26: Grids with plans, n.d.

Scope and Content Note

black ink on white trace
Notation: HOC
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

A.33: Four axonometric cubes with colored cuts, n.d.

Scope and Content Note

black, blue, red ink on white bond, 8 ½ × 14
 

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
 

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-B.27

 

B.1: Axonometric: corner, 28 Dec 1972

Scope and Content Note

black marker on white trace, 12 × 20
Notations: 14, SU, 28 Dec 72
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

B.18: Axonometric: corner with shading, n.d.

Scope and Content Note

black marker on white trace, 12 × 20
Notation: 18
 

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
 

B.20: Axonometric: partial corner, n.d.

Scope and Content Note

black ink on white trace, 12 × 20
 

B.21: Axonometric: partial corner, n.d.

Scope and Content Note

black ink on white trace, 12 × 20
 

B.22: Axonometric: partial corner, n.d.

Scope and Content Note

black ink on white trace, 12 × 20
 

B.23: Axonometric: partial corner, n.d.

Scope and Content Note

black ink on white trace, 12 × 20
 

B.24: Axonometric: corner, n.d.

Scope and Content Note

black ink on white trace, 12 × 20
 

B.25: Axonometric: partial wall, n.d.

Scope and Content Note

black ink on white trace, 12 × 20
 

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
 

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