Streamline Moderne home plans?

HORSEFLY- the simple answer is yes; the complx answer is no. OK, that may sound improbable. What I mean is that design plans can be found, with work at the appropriate archive. But these 'plans' won't be usable without engineering, etc. Current codes will need to be applied.....

Jon

 

I was going to reply that there isn't much current demand for Streamline Moderne residential plans that I know of...I'd say anything along these lines today either would be a one-off or just plain weird luck to find in a magazine-rack planbook.

Jon, when you say "archive", do you mean searching out and finding old planbooks or Historic American Buildings Survey plans?

Horsefly: Lots of info online if you google Streamline Moderne; if you did a search on abebooks.com an old plan book might turn up for sale.

 

Scott, by 'archives' I meant that many period publications have floor plans and photos that could be used to create a new house. Of course, one might also find actual plans.

Horsefly, please bear in mind that, in addition to code issues, there are copyright questions. My suggestion, if you want archtecture, there's only one thing to do - hire an architect!

Jon

 

Horsefly,

Have you seen this exhibit on streamlining?

http://www.phxart.org/exhibitions/curves.asp

Jon

 

Horsefly, Old plans are a great place to start! BTW: somebody's pulling a fast one with the plans you reference. They come from a widely published book (title forgotten) of the period. There are many period magazine articles and books that have such material. You may be able to find a whole book for $30. Also, check out a decent architecture school library.... these books are not that rare. Do some Google, there's lots of stuff out there.

Dover publications has republished a lot of stuff such as:

100 Small Houses of the Thirties by Brown-Blodgett Company
Exterior photographs and floor plans for 100 charming structures. Illustrations of models accompanied by descriptions of interiors, color schemes, closet space, and other amenities. 200 illustrations.
Our Price $9.95

Jon

 

Horsefly...the second link you posted showed some nice International Style and Moderne stuff...the 1930's and 40's plan-brochure homes are primitive and small by 21st century standards , but definitely have some good stylistic reference points for a skilled architect to use in the design process for an up-to-date home.

I get the strong feeling that you want something very particular, and are trying to find useable/buildable plans for a demanding architectural aesthetic on the cheap. I can also tell you that's not going to work...fine-home taste is like Ferrari taste...open up the check book, buddy.

This isn't an advertisement for the architectural profession or the construction business...no vested interest in either on my end. I just hate to see people make big mistakes on something that's both expensive and on which they have out-of-the-ordinary result expectations. An attempt to save maybe five or ten percent by skimping on or foregoing professional design services usually backfires, unless you want something big and approximate and don't care about the fine points.

Trying to pass on some sound advice and and hard-earned wisdom, that's all...maybe it's not appropriate in your case. Speaking the truth to my own clients lost me a few, but the ones that stayed are friends for life.

 

Thanks for correcting me. I apologize for any offense...but I'd still get a good architect to help you get it right.

 

This won't be quite what you're looking for, but a recent visit to New York's Museum of Modern Art brought the design to mind, and it fits rather nicely into the 'streamline moderne' concept: the Airstream trailer.


So, just for fun:
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