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Gagarin II

Excellent
  • Mid-Century Modern
  • Identity of Building/Site
  • History of Building/Site
  • Documentation

Gagarin II

Southwestern exposure of Gagarin II, Litchfield, CT. Designed by Marcel Breuer, 1973-74.

Credit

Kyra Hartnett

Site overview

Gagarin II is a beautiful example of Marcel Breuer's mid-century modern design, it is in fact one of the last residences he worked on. Comissioned by Andy and Jamie Gagarin in 1973, this home was their second designed by Breuer, and features a more secluded, intimate feel over Gagarin I. The home features a binuclear structure with a butterfly roof that echo the iconic House in the Garden designed by Breuer for the MoMA. Grounding it in its natural surroundings in the rolling hills of Litchfield, the home pays close attention to the use of materials with a limited range, while also using materials such as fieldstone to relate it to its natural surroundings. The home was occupied by Jamie Gagarin until she passed in 2016, with the current owners embarking on an ambitious restoration project using original reference materials as a base.

Gagarin II

Gagarin II Southwestern exposure, 1974

Site overview

Gagarin II is a beautiful example of Marcel Breuer's mid-century modern design, it is in fact one of the last residences he worked on. Comissioned by Andy and Jamie Gagarin in 1973, this home was their second designed by Breuer, and features a more secluded, intimate feel over Gagarin I. The home features a binuclear structure with a butterfly roof that echo the iconic House in the Garden designed by Breuer for the MoMA. Grounding it in its natural surroundings in the rolling hills of Litchfield, the home pays close attention to the use of materials with a limited range, while also using materials such as fieldstone to relate it to its natural surroundings. The home was occupied by Jamie Gagarin until she passed in 2016, with the current owners embarking on an ambitious restoration project using original reference materials as a base.

Gagarin II

Gagarin II southern exposure showing restored back deck. (2022)

Credit

Kyra Hartnett

Site overview

Gagarin II is a beautiful example of Marcel Breuer's mid-century modern design, it is in fact one of the last residences he worked on. Comissioned by Andy and Jamie Gagarin in 1973, this home was their second designed by Breuer, and features a more secluded, intimate feel over Gagarin I. The home features a binuclear structure with a butterfly roof that echo the iconic House in the Garden designed by Breuer for the MoMA. Grounding it in its natural surroundings in the rolling hills of Litchfield, the home pays close attention to the use of materials with a limited range, while also using materials such as fieldstone to relate it to its natural surroundings. The home was occupied by Jamie Gagarin until she passed in 2016, with the current owners embarking on an ambitious restoration project using original reference materials as a base.

Gagarin II

Gagarin II living area after restoration, 2022

Credit

Kyra Hartnett

Site overview

Gagarin II is a beautiful example of Marcel Breuer's mid-century modern design, it is in fact one of the last residences he worked on. Comissioned by Andy and Jamie Gagarin in 1973, this home was their second designed by Breuer, and features a more secluded, intimate feel over Gagarin I. The home features a binuclear structure with a butterfly roof that echo the iconic House in the Garden designed by Breuer for the MoMA. Grounding it in its natural surroundings in the rolling hills of Litchfield, the home pays close attention to the use of materials with a limited range, while also using materials such as fieldstone to relate it to its natural surroundings. The home was occupied by Jamie Gagarin until she passed in 2016, with the current owners embarking on an ambitious restoration project using original reference materials as a base.

Gagarin II

Gagarin II living area, 1974

Site overview

Gagarin II is a beautiful example of Marcel Breuer's mid-century modern design, it is in fact one of the last residences he worked on. Comissioned by Andy and Jamie Gagarin in 1973, this home was their second designed by Breuer, and features a more secluded, intimate feel over Gagarin I. The home features a binuclear structure with a butterfly roof that echo the iconic House in the Garden designed by Breuer for the MoMA. Grounding it in its natural surroundings in the rolling hills of Litchfield, the home pays close attention to the use of materials with a limited range, while also using materials such as fieldstone to relate it to its natural surroundings. The home was occupied by Jamie Gagarin until she passed in 2016, with the current owners embarking on an ambitious restoration project using original reference materials as a base.

Awards

Design

Citation of Merit

Residential

2022

The jury awards a Design Citation of Merit for the restoration of the Gagarin II Residence. Commissioned by Andy and Jamie Gagarin in 1973 and completed in 1974, it is one of the last residences Breuer worked on. The home features a binuclear structure with a butterfly roof that echoes the iconic House in the Garden designed by Breuer for MoMA. Grounding it in its natural surroundings in the rolling hills of Litchfield, the home pays close attention to the use of a limited range of materials such as fieldstone to relate it to its natural surroundings. The owners purchased the home directly from the Gagarin family in 2016. Jamie Gagarin had collaborated closely with Breuer on the design, which gave the new owners access to the home's original blueprints, pictures, and stories. They used these reference materials, elements from Breuer's other work, and conversations with Breuer's architectural partner Bob Gatje, to inform the restoration process. Inappropriate vinyl siding was removed and replaced with tongue and groove wood that maintains visual continuity. Where the original wooden deck had been removed by previous owners, leaving only a concrete slab, the substructure was improved with a gravel bed and drainage system, and the deck was recreated in its exact pattern. A new HVAC system was carefully installed using original blueprints to locate empty areas in the walls to keep the infrastructure concealed. 

“Following the recently destroyed Geller House in Long Island, it is important to acknowledge the significance of these modest modern homes and celebrate stewards who seek to honor the design and see significance beyond its land value.”

- Liz Waytkus, 51福利 Executive Director

 

“The project exhibits a very high design quality, including landscape. Breuer houses tend to be small by today’s standards, so, many time