Welcome to the Archives of The Paul Rudolph Institute for Modern Architecture. The purpose of this online collection is to function as a tool for scholars, students, architects, preservationists, journalists and other interested parties. The archive consists of photographs, slides, articles and publications from Rudolph’s lifetime; physical drawings and models; personal photos and memorabilia; and contemporary photographs and articles.
Some of the materials are in the public domain, some are offered under Creative Commons, and some are owned by others, including the Paul Rudolph Estate. Please speak with a representative of The Paul Rudolph Institute for Modern Architecture before using any drawings or photos in the Archives. In all cases, the researcher shall determine how to appropriately publish or otherwise distribute the materials found in this collection, while maintaining appropriate protection of the applicable intellectual property rights.
In his will, Paul Rudolph gave his Architectural Archives (including drawings, plans, renderings, blueprints, models and other materials prepared in connection with his professional practice of architecture) to the Library of Congress Trust Fund following his death in 1997. A Stipulation of Settlement, signed on June 6, 2001 between the Paul Rudolph Estate and the Library of Congress Trust Fund, resulted in the transfer of those items to the Library of Congress among the Architectural Archives, that the Library of Congress determined suitable for its collections. The intellectual property rights of items transferred to the Library of Congress are in the public domain. The usage of the Paul M. Rudolph Archive at the Library of Congress and any intellectual property rights are governed by the Library of Congress Rights and Permissions.
However, the Library of Congress has not received the entirety of the Paul Rudolph architectural works, and therefore ownership and intellectual property rights of any materials that were not selected by the Library of Congress may not be in the public domain and may belong to the Paul Rudolph Estate.
LOCATION
Address: 2210 North Casey Key Road
City: Nokomis
State: Florida
Zip Code: 34275
Nation: United States
STATUS
Type: Residence
Status: Demolished
TECHNICAL DATA
Date(s): 1947
Site Area:
Floor Area:
Height:
Floors (Above Ground):
Building Cost:
PROFESSIONAL TEAM
Client: Marion "Monks" Miller
Architect: Ralph S. Twitchell
Associate Architect: Paul M. Rudolph
Landscape:
Structural:
MEP:
QS/PM:
SUPPLIERS
Contractor: Associated Builders, Inc.
Subcontractor(s):
miller residence
The project scope is to design a residence for Marion Hillis “Monks” Miller (nee Slakter). Marion Miller was married to Arthur E. Hiller in 1927 until they divorced in 1945.
A story in the November 20, 1946 Sarasota Herald-Tribune mentions “Mrs. Marion H. Miller and Mrs. Ann S. Davison arrived recently from New York City and are staying at the Whispering Sands hotel. They are building a home on Treasure Island.”
The residence is built on Treasure Island, one of the narrower Florida keys. The lot is a 200’ strip which extends across the island from the Gulf of Mexico on one side to the bayou on the other side. The house sits on a small bluff overlooking the Gulf to take advantage of the view.
The house is designed to be occupied for 6 months during the year in winter, and all rooms have cross ventilation. To achieve this, the bedroom wing does not have a hall, and instead access is via an outdoor walk. The roof overhang is extended over the walk to shield it from the sun.
Lime block is used for bearing walls and walls that stand on the side of the house which faces prevailing winds
Simple Cyprus framing consists of continuous 2” x 6” joists carrying the roof on 6” x 12” beams which rest on 6” x 8” columns.
The ceiling is made of striated plywood leaving the beams exposed with large glass windows run between them to the ceiling. The ceiling of the kitchen is plastered so it can be easily cleaned.
The 12 foot structural bay system is chosen to save money by using standardized roof timbers, and also to allow the terrazzo floor to be ground and finished before non-structural partitions were placed thereby eliminating the costly and difficult procedure of grinding around each partition
The terrazzo floor - unbroken by structural partitions - is ground and finished in one operation for economy. The floor material is chosen to resist wear and tear due to sandy, wet feet.
The living room clerestory window is expressed as an independent structural system, leading to double columns in the room. One column and beam is part of the regular bay system carried throughout the entire building, with the second column supporting the clerestory as a “free element”
Glass Jalousies are used for ventilation with the connection between the jalousies and the fixed glass specifically detailed so that the members never approach the size of the structural column.
The house is built by Associated Builders, Inc. which is a company created by Ralph Twitchell, his wife Lucienne Twitchell and Edward J. Root from March 20, 1937 until it is dissolved on April 15, 1955.
The residence wins a Progressive Architecture Award in 1949.
Ezra Stoller photographs the residence for McCall’s Magazine on February 13, 1950. He is also in town to photograph the Denman Residence for a future issue of Progressive Architecture.
On December 17, 1951 A wedding reception is held at the residence for the marriage of Harry Davison and Barbara M. Vilas. Harry Davison is the son of Ann S. Davison, a close friend from New York City of Marion Miller.
Marion Hillis Miller marries Mario H. Lucci (1904-1973), Vice President and Treasurer of Wallace Aircraft Inc., in 1955.
Mario H. Lucci lives in the house until 1971.
Mario H. Lucci passes away on January 19, 1973.
The residence is sold to a new owner who expands it.
Barbara Friedman (living at 1 Beekman Place in NYC) sells the residence in 4/14/1999.
Author Stephen King submits a bid for the house but loses to Walter & Marilyn Kreiseder who unsuccessfully sought someone to remove the house prior to demolishing it and constructing a new 20,360 sf house in 2003.
“Our desire in this design was to make unmistakably clear how each member is joined to its neighbor.”
“Our methods are still those of the craftsman to a large extent, whether we like it or not. It must be remembered that we are working in a nonindustrial area - in Florida a piece of steel is a precious item.”
“To us what is needed is not less glass but better control of the opening, which we now accomplish by loose-woven fabric curtains, trees, and large-leafed plants and overhangs. We long for a weather-resisting flexible blind which can be used on the outside of the glass to cut down the heat penetration.”
“Rudolph used bounding walls, an entry trellis, various ceiling planes, and expanses of glass to define and direct experience through the house.”
DRAWINGS - Design Drawings / Renderings
DRAWINGS - Construction Drawings
DRAWINGS - Shop Drawings
PHOTOS - Project Model
PHOTOS - During Construction
PHOTOS - Completed Project
PHOTOS - Current Conditions
LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION
RELATED DOWNLOADS
PROJECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
“Ace Architecture Photographer in Sarasota for Pix.” Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 12 Feb. 1950.
Charles R. Smith. Paul Rudolph and Louis Kahn: A Bibliography. The Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1987.
Christopher Domin and Joe King. Paul Rudolph: The Florida Houses. Princeton Architectural Press, 2002.
“Chronological List of Works by Paul Rudolph, 1946-1974.” Architecture and Urbanism, no. 49, Jan. 1975.
“Design and Construction Unique in Miller Residence.” Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 26 Mar. 1950.
“House in Florida.” Architectural Forum, no. 89, 89, July 1948.
“House: Sarasota, Florida.” Progressive Architecture, no. 30, 30, June 1949.
“Maison De Vacances En Floride.” Architecture D’Aujourd’hui, no. 20, July 1950.
“Sarasota Leader in Home Design.” Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 26 Mar. 1950.
Timothy Rohan. The Architecture of Paul Rudolph. Yale University Press, 2014.