William and Margot Kessler House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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William and Margot Kessler House
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1013 Cadieux Road, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan |
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| Area | 120 acres (49 ha) |
| Built | 1959 |
| Architect | William Henry Kessler |
| Architectural style | Modern |
| NRHP reference No. | 13000801 |
| Added to NRHP | September 30, 2013 |
The William and Margot Kessler House is a special house located in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan. It was designed by a famous architect named William Henry Kessler for his own family in 1959. This house is important because it shows a unique style of modern design. In 2013, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's recognized as a significant historical place in the United States.
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The Architect: William Kessler
William Henry Kessler was born in 1924 in Reading, Pennsylvania. His father started a lumber company in the 1930s. This company, called Lumberman's Merchandising Corporation, is still very successful today.
William Kessler studied architecture at the Chicago Institute of Design. He earned his degree in 1948. He then continued his studies with a very famous architect named Walter Gropius at Harvard University.
Starting a Career in Architecture
After finishing school, William Kessler moved to Michigan. He began working for another well-known architect, Minoru Yamasaki. Later, Kessler and a fellow architect, Phil Meathe, decided to start their own company. They called it Meathe, Kessler and Associates.
In 1959, William Kessler designed a house for himself, his wife Margot, and their family. He built this unique home for about $30,000.
Kessler's Own Firm
The partnership of Meathe, Kessler and Associates ended in 1968. William Kessler then started his own architecture firm. His company worked on many different types of buildings. These included single-family homes, public housing, and buildings for colleges and hospitals.
William Kessler passed away in 2002. His wife, Margot, continued to live in their special house until she passed away in 2009.
What Does the House Look Like?
The Kessler House is on a street with many traditional homes. These homes often look like old English or Colonial style houses. The Kessler House stands out because it has a very modern design. It is also located across the street from Beaumont Hospital.
Unique Design Features
This house is a single-story building. It has a square shape, measuring about 39 feet by 42 feet. It is built with a light steel frame. One of the most interesting parts of the house is its roof. It has a "saw-tooth" shape, which means it goes up and down like the teeth of a saw.
Another special feature is a textured brick fence. This fence creates a private garden area at the front of the house. It helps to make the home feel secluded and peaceful.
Windows and Walls
The main entrance to the house is under a flat roof. This roof connects the house to a nearby storage room and carport. The front and back of the house have large windows. These windows go all the way from the floor to the ceiling. They are divided into three sections, matching the "teeth" of the roof.
The side walls of the house are made of brick. One side has the entry door. The other side has a single window.
Inside the Kessler House
The inside of the Kessler House has about 1,700 square feet of living space. It includes three bedrooms and two bathrooms. There is also a kitchen, a living room, a dining room, and a family room. The basement area of the house is not finished.
The walls in the main living areas are made of plaster. The ceiling is covered with cedar wood planks. These cedar planks follow the unique shape of the saw-tooth roof. They also extend outside the house, forming the underside of the roof's overhangs.
