Completed in 1965, the Jerome & Carolyn Meier House was Richard Meier’s first residential commission and a personal project, built as a home for his parents in the tranquil setting of Essex Fells, New Jersey. This stunning modernist residence showcases Meier’s signature style, incorporating large glass walls that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor spaces and brick walls that provide privacy and seclusion from the street.
Jerome & Carolyn Meier House Technical Information
- Architects: Richard Meier
- Location: 183 Devon Rd, Essex Fells, New Jersey, USA
- Topics: American Houses, Pritzker, Brick
- Area: 2,936 sqft m2
- Project Year: 1963-1965
- Photographs: © Ezra Stoller / ESTO, © Richard Meier
Le Corbusier was a great influence, but there are many influences and they are constantly changing. Frank Lloyd Wright was a great architect, and I could not have done my parent’s house the way that I did, without being overwhelmed by Falling Water. […] A Miesian brick house under a Frank Lloyd Wright roof.
– Richard Meier
Jerome & Carolyn Meier House Photographs
The Jerome & Carolyn Meier House, A Private Residence Built with Serenity in Mind
Nestled on a one-acre suburban lot amidst pseudo-colonial homes, this one-story house was designed with privacy and isolation as top priorities. Its masonry-bearing walls and large glass openings, capped by a wide parapet that encloses a rooftop garden, provide a sense of seclusion from the street. The interior boasts views of an enclosed courtyard, as well as a nearby golf course.
Designed with the owners’ desire for privacy and isolation in mind, the inset courtyard and curving brick walls create a sense of seclusion. At the same time, skylights and clerestories allow natural light to flood the interior, enhancing its sense of space and tranquility.
Turning inward, away from its suburban neighbors, this house is like an urban courtyard house, with an emphasis on privacy, light, and connection to nature. The result is a harmonious blend of form and function, reflecting the owners’ wishes and the architect’s vision for this unique, one-of-a-kind residence.
The design of the Meier House exemplifies Meier’s expertise in combining clean lines, geometric shapes, and a minimalistic aesthetic with the use of natural light to create a harmonious connection with the surrounding environment. This residence stands as a testament to Meier’s mastery of modernist architecture and his commitment to sustainable design principles, making it an iconic example of 20th-century architecture.
The Jerome & Carolyn Meier House has been widely recognized and admired for its innovative design and continues to inspire architects and designers worldwide. It remains a significant work in Richard Meier’s impressive portfolio of architectural achievements.
My mother always said everything was perfect except for one thing—there weren’t enough closets.
– Richard Meier
Recent Photographs
Jerome & Carolyn Meier House Plans
Jerome & Carolyn Meier House Image Gallery
About Richard Meier
Richard Meier is an American architect and designer known for his influential contributions to modernist architecture. He was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1934, and he is best known for his use of clean lines, geometric shapes, and an all-white color palette in his designs. Some of his notable works include the Getty Center in Los Angeles, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, and the Jubilee Church in Rome. Throughout his career, Meier has received numerous awards and honors, including the Pritzker Prize for Architecture in 1984. He continues to be recognized as a leading figure in modernist architecture.
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