The 1959 Commencement House

Located on Rockford Road in Irving Park, the 1959 house had a slightly more modest budget at $24,000 but continued to be built on speculation with Gulledge covering the cost of construction until the house sold. The sole aim for this studio remained to design a marketable house and in this regard, the studio achieved success when the contractor sold the house to the Kenneth Hinsdale family, Hinsdale a vice president for the Jefferson Pilot Insurance Company.

The students divided the small, family-oriented, one story house into public and private zones, orienting the public but cozy dining room and theatrical living room out a large expanse of glass wall toward the wooded lot and a lake view. The private part of the house, for quiet and personal retreat, included three bedrooms and two and one-half baths, as well as ample storage and a dressing room in the master suite. According to the aims of the course, students considered: areas zoned for family activity, a step saving traffic pattern, visual spaciousness beyond actual square footage, easy maintenance, dramatic lighting, and climate conditioning (through a central attic fan and well placed window and door openings).

In the house, the simple entry hall sets the stage for the dramatic living room views, with the living room two steps below both entry and dining areas, the separate levels permitting "a borrowing and lending of space and light, with each area maintaining an independence and formality of its own." The devised lighting unifies the formal spaces, alongside a family dining and activity center open to the kitchen. In furnishing the house, the students wove texture and color to create a restful setting, easy to maintain. In the original scheme, natural red brick walls provided the backdrop for large art in the dining room, while a massive chimney (also of natural brick) divides living room from kitchen. Richly grained walnut furniture, upholstered in black, brown, and cream imparted an interplay of textures for the rooms, underscored by layered textiles on the curtain wall uniting the two public spaces.

In the private areas of the house, students made the most of the space in the framework of a strict decorating budget, incorporating gently-hued draperies, hardwood floors, and multi-functional bathrooms that could be open or closed when entertaining in the public part of the house. A telephone alcove and a folding diagonal wall divide public from private. Throughout, the students specified wood furniture by Founders, upholstered pieces by Thayer-Coggin, Andersen Windowalls, carpet by Suwanee, and Armstrong Tessera linoleum. The kitchen contained an indoor barbecue as a supplementary cooking area, a generous supply of work counters and cabinets, as well as efficient under counter and general overhead illumination.

Like the previous project, the 1959 Commencement House students sought support from the local community by way of donations and through help from several contractors: electric appliances from Jackson Plumbing, Beamans, Inc., and Appliances and TV Center; furniture from Founders Furniture Company and Thayer-Coggin; lighting fixtures from Prescoliite and Lightolier; and assistance from Thomas Electrical Contractors, Inc., Jackson Plumbing, Roberts Tile Company (Sanford); and Huttig Sash and Door (Charlotte). Duke Power company rated the structure a "Gold Medallion Home," the same award as given the 1958 Commencement House. Walter J. Moran served as interior designer for the project, with Loewenstein coordinating student efforts in the studio and on site.