When is an altered Modern Home still Modern?

"The urge to remodel is stronger than the sex drive" – Gene Leedy (1928–2018), American architect, describing 'improvements' made to his mid-century modern houses.


• Up to what point is a substantially altered house still modern(ist)?
• Can the modifications be reversed?
• If so, with how much effort and cost?

These questions often arise when deciding if I should accept a property into my database of regional modernist houses.

Point in case: the Brill house in Hollywood, Florida, designed in 1959 by Chuck Reed FAIA (1926-2022), who worked mostly in and around Hollywood.

Reed's houses in their original form are strictly modern, relatively compact and never flashy.

The Brill house, which I last visited 2013, has been modified heavily, moving it away from its intended design. That includes its main feature, a semi-open pool – Chuck explained once how he loved the rain dripping into the pool through the net-covered skylight, which is now closed off:

#1: The pool. Note: closed-off ceiling openings and French doors with grilles (the glass divider thingies)
#2: Site/floor-plan. Note the compact arrangement of four functions around the pool
#3: The SW elevation, on the left the now-enclosed carport
#4: The former carport
#5: The dining area and kitchen. Note the choice of cabinetry as well as the mosaic tile
#6: Master bedroom, cabinets on left are original. Like a lot MCM homes, the lack of an attic  necessitates split-unit air conditioners
#8: One the bathrooms. Note the style of tiles and the added w/d cabinet.
#9: View from the pool into the kitchen. Note different floors between pool deck and inside area
#10: Pool photo, ca. 1959

Your thoughts?


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"When is an altered Modern Home still Modern?" by Tobias Kaiser, CC BY-NC-ND - photos by BeachesMLS