Looking To Protect ‘Unique’ Home
By Carey London for the independent 5/3/5
Preserving local architecture should include the postmodern as well as the historic, Jake Gorst told the Southampton Town Board last Friday. Gorst, a documentary filmmaker, made a plea to the board to help him preserve one of his grandfather’s last remaining architectural designs on the East End.
“I have over the years watched several of my grandfather’s houses disappear,” he said. Known for his unconventional designs, architect Andrew Michael Geller designed several unique houses on the coast of Long Island.
Commissioned by Arthur Pearlroth in 1959, Geller built what has come to be known as the Pearlroth Beach House on Dune Road in Westhampton. The 600-square foot home — the size of three parking spaces — is essentially two elongated boxes, creating a box kite or double diamond shape.
Arthur’s son Jonathan Pearlroth inherited the house several years ago, but intends to build a new home on the property. He offered the unique structure to Gorst, with the caveat that the grandson must find a way to move the house by the middle of this month. Gorst, who has been raising money for the move and subsequent restoration of the house, hopes to donate it to town officials who have considered declaring it a landmark.
Councilwoman Linda Kabot and Councilman Steve Kenny have suggested moving the house a mile west of its current location to Pike’s Beach. Like a “small public sculpture,” the house could serve as a marker for boaters on Moriches Bay, said Kabot.
It could also become a museum for architecture and design, said Gorst, and if possible, named after his grandfather. Gorst wants to sit on a committee directing the use of the house and would like to have Exhibitions International — a nonprofit organization that raises money for museums — curate one exhibit annually.
The renovation process would be broken into four phases, starting with the move. Phases two and three would involve pile driving and restoration of the home, which is expected to last from July to the spring of 2006. Furnishing the house with mid-century, modern period furniture would be phase four. The estimated cost for the project is $150,000.
The Hamptons’ landscape is one of “shifting sands and changing styles,” said Kabot said on Monday, with large modern houses consuming the area’s post World War II resort architecture. “This is somewhat refreshing to see something small,” she said of Geller’s home. “It’s unique.”
The town board will vote on whether or not to accept Gorst’s donation at a public hearing on May 10.
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By Carey London for the independent 5/3/5
Preserving local architecture should include the postmodern as well as the historic, Jake Gorst told the Southampton Town Board last Friday. Gorst, a documentary filmmaker, made a plea to the board to help him preserve one of his grandfather’s last remaining architectural designs on the East End.
“I have over the years watched several of my grandfather’s houses disappear,” he said. Known for his unconventional designs, architect Andrew Michael Geller designed several unique houses on the coast of Long Island.
Commissioned by Arthur Pearlroth in 1959, Geller built what has come to be known as the Pearlroth Beach House on Dune Road in Westhampton. The 600-square foot home — the size of three parking spaces — is essentially two elongated boxes, creating a box kite or double diamond shape.
Arthur’s son Jonathan Pearlroth inherited the house several years ago, but intends to build a new home on the property. He offered the unique structure to Gorst, with the caveat that the grandson must find a way to move the house by the middle of this month. Gorst, who has been raising money for the move and subsequent restoration of the house, hopes to donate it to town officials who have considered declaring it a landmark.
Councilwoman Linda Kabot and Councilman Steve Kenny have suggested moving the house a mile west of its current location to Pike’s Beach. Like a “small public sculpture,” the house could serve as a marker for boaters on Moriches Bay, said Kabot.
It could also become a museum for architecture and design, said Gorst, and if possible, named after his grandfather. Gorst wants to sit on a committee directing the use of the house and would like to have Exhibitions International — a nonprofit organization that raises money for museums — curate one exhibit annually.
The renovation process would be broken into four phases, starting with the move. Phases two and three would involve pile driving and restoration of the home, which is expected to last from July to the spring of 2006. Furnishing the house with mid-century, modern period furniture would be phase four. The estimated cost for the project is $150,000.
The Hamptons’ landscape is one of “shifting sands and changing styles,” said Kabot said on Monday, with large modern houses consuming the area’s post World War II resort architecture. “This is somewhat refreshing to see something small,” she said of Geller’s home. “It’s unique.”
The town board will vote on whether or not to accept Gorst’s donation at a public hearing on May 10.
- bill 5-09-2005 4:57 pm