A Home for Life

In 1993, the editors of LIFE magazine commissioned renowned architect Robert A.M. Stern to design "a house for all America." The resulting home appeared in the magazine's June 1994 issue, showcased in a fold-out feature article punctuated by rich color illustrations and an interview with Stern stating his design philosophy. The response from readers was so overwhelming that the LIFE Dream House became an annual installment for the magazine. Each year its appearance is eagerly anticipated by everyone from LIFE's subscribers to major players in the home-building industry. The 1994 home, however, struck a particularly resonant chord with American home builders, and it is the series' runaway success story.

Stern may have seemed an unlikely choice to design the first LIFE Dream House, especially considering the project's parameters. The LIFE editors wanted a house the size of the average new American home (about 2,100 square feet) that could be constructed for the average price of a new home. It wasn't the type of design on which the Manhattan-based Stern built his illustrious career. One of the most respected architects in America, Stern's traditional stock in trade is the creation of corporate headquarters, university buildings and homes ranging in size from 7,000 square feet to 25,000 square feet. But his home for LIFE shows the versatility that propelled him to the top of such a competitive profession.

Stern's LIFE house is a two-story, shingle-style design that can be finished in stages, so it grows with a family. The nostalgic exterior is a multi-gabled, multi-dormered vision sheathed in cedar. Window boxes adorn most of the first-floor windows facing the street, and built-in trellises provide growing spaces for climbing plants. A long back porch (Stern is in love with these outdoor living rooms) is supported by classic round columns. A corner entry allows the house to be oriented to fit lots that are wide and shallow, or narrow and deep. The garage can be entered from the side or the rear, depending on the orientation. Either way, it's out of sight. Unobtrusive or hidden garages are currently favored by traditional neighborhood design proponents, who decry the fact that most suburban homes seem more intent on welcoming home cars than people.

A center island creates additional work space in the kitchen, which is fronted by a pass-through serving bar to the Great Room. Bench seating built into a sunny bay window creates a casual breakfast nook.

The inspiration for the LIFE Dream House was anything but suburban. Stern took his cue from the grand shingle-style "cottages" that dot the New England coast from Connecticut to Maine. In their heyday--the late 1800s to the early 1900s--these magnificent homes served as summer residences for wealthy Eastern families. Despite their luxurious scale, many of the homes exude a casual, relaxed character befitting a carefree summer at the beach or in the country. Like the homes that inspired it, the LIFE Dream House was designed to convey a relaxed style of life for those who work hard and care about quality in the details of their surroundings.

Each element of the 1994 LIFE Dream House was chosen for how well it contributed to the overall function of the design. The architect chose cedar shingles over man-made materials for their warm, inviting appearance and because the older they get, the better they look. The big back porch is a gathering space that works equally well as a private evening retreat or a weekend hangout for kids, dogs and neighbors. The facade's multiple dormers create an eye-catching peaks-and-valleys roofline, while flooding the interior with natural light. The overall feeling is a home that is elegant without being stuffy.

The feeling continues inside, where the main-floor common rooms flow into one another to create a wide-open area for entertaining. The design works to make shared spaces as inclusive as possible. Living and dining rooms are combined into a single Great Room that is visually expanded by French doors overlooking the back porch. A pass-through into the kitchen allows the family chef to interact with the occupants of the Great Room. The kitchen also includes a bayed breakfast nook with views to the porch. The arrangement of the rooms allows spaces to remain distinctly functional while at the same time creating sight lines that give the floor plan its open feel.

Past the kitchen is a space the editors of LIFE dubbed the "Anything Room" when the house first appeared. The room's proximity to the main-floor master suite makes it a perfect nursery for a young family. As time goes by, the space may be transformed into a home office, a den or a library. This room is an extension of Stern's "growing house" philosophy and is one of the design's most popular features.

The adjoining master suite reflects another of Stern's views about modern house design: a dislike for space-wasting master baths. The suite's private bath includes all the essentials (separate tub and shower, dual-sink vanity) today's couples want, without taking up more room than necessary. The extra space is then made available for closets, of which the master suite boasts three, including a walk-in. The bedroom itself accommodates an intimate sitting area built into a bayed wall.

The design's corner entry allows the house to be oriented one of two ways: the length of the house stretches along the street to fit a wide, shallow lot; the width of the home is directed toward the street on lots that are narrow and deep.

The true genius of Stern's plan lies with the layout of the upper floor. To meet design requirements, Stern created a second floor consisting of two bedrooms and a full bath. However, alternate designs allow the space to hold up to four bedrooms and two full baths, or two secondary bedrooms and a full bath adjacent to an in-law, nanny or guest suite with a private bath. Whatever the layout, each bedroom features a quiet sitting area built into the home's generous rear dormers, each of which measure 81Ú2 feet wide. Alternately, space could be set aside for a combination of bedrooms and a family room, gym or hobby area.

The arrangement of the upper floor is one of the greatest variables in determining the home's building cost. A young family might choose to leave the entire upper floor unfinished, utilizing the room adjacent to the master suite as a nursery or child's room. The upper floor could be finished later as the needs of the family become more clear.

Land and construction costs are also variables affecting the home's final price tag. Land and building prices in the United States vary widely--a home built in Nebraska farm country may cost much less to construct than if it were built in suburban San Francisco. Construction prices are further affected by decisions the homeowner makes regarding amenities and finishing items. Stern's original specifications for interior fixtures and exterior materials may be altered to hold down costs. A list of materials is available for the home, making it easier for a builder to provide a cost estimate to a prospective buyer.

Regardless of how an individual home builder renders LIFE's first Dream House, one thing is certain: the thoughtfulness of the design is impressive. The combination of classic exterior and open, expandable interior creates a home that meets the needs of its occupants through the years. Stern has created a house for life, and in today's rapidly changing society, there is no better value than that.

Source: "A House for All America," by Stephen Petranek and Jennifer Allen, with reporting by Jan Mason and Anne Hollister, LIFE, June 1994
All Photos copyright Peter Aaron/ESTO

For information on any of the LIFE Dream Houses, please call toll-free 1-888-626-2026