7 Graybridge Drive St Louis MO 63124



This home at #7 Graybridge Drive in Ladue was built in 1940 and designed by Mid Century Modernist Isadore Shank.  It was the towards the beginning of the career of architect Isadore Shank.  The home is currently being offered for sale at $499000.  Shank's designs evolved through the years in his search for harmony tetween built and natural environment as well as interior and exterior spaces.


Shank's philosophy, which isn't thrown in your face at all, was a precursor to the philosophies of Christopher Alexander (A Pattern Language) and Sarah Suzanka (Not So Big House): respecting the individuality of the people who will be living in the home; giving the common areas of the home a modest, Modernist spaciousness; making the private spaces small and enveloping.

Isadore Shank designed many modestly scaled homes that hug the earth and are not pretentious from the street.  As in the house at 7 Graybridge, his designs were set apart by his style of airy openness of common areas and the cozy intimacy of private quarters.  Many of these homes are being threatened today by the McMansionitis attitude of bigger is better.

Shank had a sense of protection with respect to the relationship between the street and the house.  He used walls and layers compositions that didn't reveal the entire house at first glance.  He also incorporated his sense of privacy into the design of porches and outdoor spaces.  Here is a view of the patio on the southwest side of 7 Graybridge showing the ivy covered brick wall which shields the patio sitters from the street.  See articles in St. Louis Magazine and Architectural Ruminations.

There was a feeling inside this home that intrigued me.  Don't know if it was the light, the room distribution or the window over the kitchen sink, but I really felt good in there.  I didn't want to leave the common spaces.  I didn't take pictures because there is no way to capture the essence.  And you can't dismiss it without standing inside for quite a while.  I wonder for whom Isadore built this home and how they used the common space:  to entertain? to have poetry readings? to discuss the news of the day.

Isadore Shank graduated from Washington University in 1925 and worked in STL from the 1930s through the 1960s and into the !970's.  He was a virtuoso of single-family design.  He was a man of progressive ideas and optimism and had a productive and brilliant career.  He has about 140 buildings to his credit and both national and international acclaim. His homes bond with the earth  and have an airy openness of common areas.  His use of layers of brick, wood, stone and glass set his homes apart.

If you would like to consider purchasing this home, please set up an appointment with me for a private showing.

Unique Needs/Unique Solutions - Respecting Individuality
Barb Heise
Keller Williams Realty STL
(314) 677-6046

www.BarbaraHeise.com


If you would like to search for properties in St Louis, click the tab Search for Properties. For best results click on the school district tab and use the drop down to choose your school districts of choice.


"Unique Needs/Unique Solutions. Respecting individuality."

Barbara Heise, Keller Williams Realty, STL.  

 

UniqueSolutions@barbaraheise.com


    

 

5 Comments on Mid Century Modern Home Designed by Isadore Shank

OCT
27
656,982 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Nice home I wish you well on the sale of the home.
9:39am • #1
2 Featured Posts

Thanks - I love the "feel" of this home.
9:41am • #2
321,258 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Hi Barbara,

A piece of classic history....good luck!
9:44am • #3
NOV
28

As in the house at 7 Graybridge, his designs were set apart by his style of airy openness of common areas and the cozy intimacy of private quarters.  Many of these homes are being threatened today by the McMansionitis attitude of bigger is better. Looking very attravtive and so beautiful.


<a href="http://www.sunsetstriprealty.com/Mid_Century_Style_Homes/page_2542839.html">Mid Century Style real estate</a>
Mid Century Style real estate
9:15pm • #5
JAN
22
2 Featured Posts

I just love this home - it feels so good.  What a shame that these types are threatened by teardowns.
5:14am • #7


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Barbara Heise - Search for Homes for Sale in St. Louis

Saint Louis, MO

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Keller Williams Realty STL

Address: Attn: Barbara Heise, 10936 Manchester Road, St. Louis, MO, 63122

Office Phone: (314) 677-6046

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