The Jetsons in Boulder, Part Two: Charles Haertling Masterworks

Driving, biking or hiking around Boulder, you catch an occasional glimpse of striking architectural forms clinging to mountainsides, perched above canyons, partly hidden by foliage.  These may include Charles Haertling's Volsky house from 1965.  The exuberant curvilinearity of the Volsky house was prompted by the contours of the site, and the dramatic upward sweep of the roof leads the eye towards a spectacular view up the mountainside.  This in itself is unusual in that architects ordinarily prize the downslope views.  Haertling employed curves in plan, section and elevation to reinforce his visual theme; note the curved window sills leading the eye upward to the prow in the second photo.  Neighbors complained that the house would spoil the neighborhood, but the house became a local landmark, and the Volsky house was featured in Life Magazine, from which these photos are excerpted*.

   

Here the curved approach path follows the site contours, creates a sense of arrival, and leads the eye to the sheltering arc over a shady, recessed entry.  If this constitutes ruining a neighborhood, I wish someone would hurry up and ruin mine…

The forms of the Caldwell house, completed in 1968, were similarly driven by the client's program as well as the topography of the site... 

But a look at the architect's plan sketch reveals a symmetry which is not at first apparent on the main approach...

The lapped boards curving upward and around the soffit of the prow-like cantilevered roof are an unmistakable reference to boatbuilding practice, and also a contrast to the smooth, white verticals of the walls.  This ship's prow is mirrored in the projecting form below the window sills.

*Footnote:  According to Boulder architectural historian Leonard Segel, the Volsky's neighbors hated Haertling's design so much they tried legal efforts to get the house demolished while it was still under construction.  Their collective attitude made a 180-degree turn, however, after the house appeared in Life.

Photo Credits:
Volsky house (top 3):  Michael Rougier for Life Magazine
Caldwell house top photo + plan:  Boulder Buildings & Plans (1.bp.blogspot.com)
Caldwell bottom shot: Mod Boulder (mod boulder.com)