The Round Houses of 1959, designed by Canadian architect James W. Strutt (1924–2008), emerged as a bold departure from mid-century suburban norms. Influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright and Buckminster Fuller, Strutt prioritized geometric efficiency, material economy, and spatial fluidity, replacing traditional rectilinear layouts with a circular configuration seamlessly integrated with the landscape. His work is extensively documented in “ by Peter D. Geldart, a study featuring over 100 illustrations.
James Strutt’s Round Houses Technical Information
- Architect: James W. Strutt
- Firm: Gilleland & Strutt
- Location: Ottawa, Canada
- Areas: 93 m2 – 186 m2 | 1,000 – 2,000 Sq. Ft.
- Projects Year: 1959
- Images: © James W. Strutt, The Strutt Foundation; © Peter D. Geldart
- Source: National Archives Canada
My style is based on a study of techniques, materials and methods of construction which exist today. It embodies getting down to basics—basic ideas of construction and design. I aim for the most economical use of the materials available and achieve this by creating my home around forms which themselves are naturally structural.
– James W. Strutt. In a 1959 interview with Paul M. Dunn of The Ottawa Citizen 1
James Strutt’s Round Houses Photographs
A Radical Departure from Convention
The 1959 Round Houses emerged in a post-war context where affordable, single-family homes were in high demand. Unlike the standardized bungalows and suburban ranch houses of the time, Strutt’s circular designs prioritized open space, natural light, and material efficiency. Each house was structured around a central hexagonal service core, which housed the kitchen, bathroom, and mechanical systems. The living and sleeping areas radiated outward, reinforcing a fluid, interconnected spatial experience.
Key Architectural Features:
Hyperbolic Paraboloid (HP) Roof: This lightweight, laminated structure eliminates the need for an attic, optimizing material efficiency.
Concrete Slab Foundation: A cost-effective and stable base, floating on a prepared sand or gravel bed.
Centralized Services: Heating, plumbing, and electrical systems were efficiently contained within a core, minimizing infrastructure complexity.
Expansive Glazing: Full-height patio windows ensured a strong indoor-outdoor connection, a principle widely embraced in mid-century modernism.
Variability in Design: Homeowners could opt for different configurations, such as houses with carports and wing rooms, allowing customization within a standardized design language.
James Strutt’s Round Houses Structural Innovation
Strutt’s Round Houses demonstrated an acute awareness of material economy and structural integrity. Adopting a hyperbolic paraboloid roof, he achieved a lightweight yet strong covering system requiring fewer materials than conventional pitched or flat roofs. Using laminated wood panels, which were nailed and layered transversely, allowed for a self-supporting curved form without excessive internal framing.
Another defining feature was the use of concrete block walls, which provided structural support and aesthetic coherence. The double-course masonry technique offered thermal stability, while angled privacy walls framed the patios, ensuring a balance between openness and seclusion.
A Visionary Model for Affordable Housing
The Round Houses were an ambitious attempt to create affordable, efficient, and architecturally significant homes. However, their unconventional design limited widespread adoption. Beyond their striking geometry, a key challenge was their sprawling footprint, requiring at least half an acre, making them unsuitable for dense suburban developments. As a result, they remained rare experimental prototypes rather than mainstream housing solutions.
Despite their limited proliferation, Strutt’s principles—efficient material use, integrated services, and spatial fluidity—remain deeply relevant in contemporary sustainable design. With modern parametric modeling, prefabrication, and digital fabrication technologies, the Round House concept could be revived, addressing present-day challenges in affordability and ecological sensitivity.
Documenting Strutt’s Legacy: The Round Houses of 1959
For those interested in an in-depth exploration of these remarkable homes, Peter D. Geldart’s book, The Round Houses of 1959, offers a meticulously researched account of Strutt’s vision. The book contains detailed architectural drawings, site plans, elevations, sections, and construction documentation, shedding light on the design intent and execution of these innovative homes.
Book Details:
- Title: The Round Houses of 1959 designed by architect James Strutt
Author: Peter D. Geldart
Publisher: Petra Books (2025)
Distributed by: Ingram
James Strutt’s Round Houses Plans
James Strutt’s Round Houses Image Gallery
About James Strutt
James W. Strutt (1924–2008) was a Canadian architect known for his innovative use of geometry, material efficiency, and structural ingenuity in mid-century modern design. Influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright and Buckminster Fuller, he co-founded Gilleland & Strutt and pioneered experimental residential projects, including the Round Houses of 1959. As a professor and later director at Carleton University’s School of Architecture, he played a key role in shaping architectural education in Canada. His work remains a testament to bold, cost-effective, and environmentally responsive design.
Credits and Additional Notes
- Brian Hierlihy and Titania Truesdale. The Strutt House: Conservation of a Mid-Century Modern Classic. Heritage Conservation Symposium, Carleton University, 2013.
- The Round Houses of 1959 designed by architect James Strutt, by Peter D. Geldart, published by petrabooks.ca in 2025
- The Strutt Foundation Archives
- National Archives Canada
