‘Any sheet material if bent will develop additional strength. In the Knott residence the bending of two pieces of one-quarter-inch plywood enables a span of seven feet six inches. These two examples possibly indicate a certain preoccupation with independent umbrella-like roofs under which partitions are moved at will. This is tied to the demand for precision and clarity of definition of each part which are inherent in our concept of architecture. My insistence on separating the roof structure from the walls and filling the void with glass has been done at the expense of controlling the natural lighting to the degree which I hope one day to achieve. I have attempted in the Knott project to create a ‘cave” (the sunken area at the fireplace) within a ‘goldfish” bowl.
Rudolph, Paul Marvin, 1918-1997. “Three New Directions: Paul Rudolph, Philip Johnson, Buckminster Fuller.” Perspecta 1 (1952): 22.
“This house is an attempt to expand space by bending plywood and supporting it on a steel primary structure. A kind of open shelter, it is well isolated from its neighbors on the bend of a beautiful river on the west coast of Florida.
The project includes a boat house, shop and swimming pool to augment the usual facilities provided. Glass areas with rolling windows sections expose most of the general living area of the house. Those portions where privacy is necessary are enclosed in concrete brick walls. Entrance is through a glassed-in area way which divides the living and dining section from the sleeping quarters, and leads through to a semi-enclosure which becomes a part of the terrace, swimming pool, recreation center. The open living area occupying the center of the structure has the quality of a glassed-in pavilion. Enclosure again occurs beyond the living, dining areas and kitchen unit for a small study. Separate structures house the car port and boat house which is immediately adjacent to docking facilities.”
“House in Florida, by Paul Rudolph, Architect.” Arts and Architecture 74 (June 1957): 14.
