the Austin House

Built in 1960 by Alex Cvijanovic of Walter Gropius’ The Architects Collaborative (TAC), the Austin House (20 Elm Street) is a symbolic architecture at Wheaton College. The house won the Architectural Record Award of Excellence for House Design in 1961. The design of house borrowed Japanese elements and ideas, for example the design of flat roof can hold water after rain and creates dripping waterfall outside the dinning room window and lasts for days. The design idea of Austin House echoes the Austin family’s passion to traveling, interests in Asian culture and love of nature. The Austin House is now Wheaton’s guesthouse and retreat center. The Embroidered Textile of Cranes and Pine Trees is believed to be kept in the Austin House until donated to Wheaton in 1987.

Text Sources:

 "Austin House/ 20 Elm Street," Wheaton College History, accessed March 22, 2014. http://wheatoncollege.edu/college-history/1960s/austin-house/

 "Welcome to the Office of the Provost," Wheaton Office of Provost, accessed March 22, 2014. http://wheatoncollege.edu/provost/

Image Source:

 "Austin House/ 20 Elm Street," Wheaton College History, accessed March 22, 2014. http://wheatoncollege.edu/college-history/1960s/austin-house/