What is Strutt House? What are they doing with it? Is it open to the public? There’s an exhibit, too?
NO CABIN IN THE WOODS Gatineau Park home is seen as a prime example of mid-century modern architecture, writes Lynn Saxberg. What’s it like? Strutt House is designated as a modern architecture pavilion. What’s that about?
QAIt was the home of Ottawa architect James Strutt and his family. Built on the Eardley Escarpment in the Gatineau Hills in 1956, its design is considered a prime example of mid-century modern architecture in Canada. It was built in six weeks by a carpenter and one helper (with assistance from Strutt on weekends) for less than $15,000.
QWho was James Strutt?
AStrutt, who died in 2008, was one of Canada’s most creative architects. He counted American architects Frank Lloyd Wright and Buckminster Fuller and Finland’s Alvar Aalto among his influences. Strutt believed that good design didn’t have to be expensive, nor labour intensive, and should work with the natural landscape. Built early in his career, the home is considered his signature work.
QWhat else did he design?
ADuring his career, Strutt designed dozens of homes in the Ottawa-Gatineau area, as well as several churches and other buildings, including Carleton University’s Loeb Building, the Canadian Nurses Association headquarters, the lodge at Camp Fortune and the Westboro Beach pavilions, to name a few.
QWhy is this house significant?
AThe geometric design makes it lightweight but strong. Built around a central concrete core, the three-bedroom, front-to-back split level is actually a 12-sided cluster of non-orthogonal rhombi, topped by an undulating wood paraboloid roof that was the first of its kind in Canada. It’s also the first building in Canada to receive a grant from the Getty Foundation as part of an initiative to preserve modern architecture around the world. “The house displays a deceptively simple combination of architectural design and building science,” noted the Getty folks.
QWho owns it now?
AIn 2010, the National Capital Commission bought Strutt House from Lesley Strutt, James’s daughter. As one of the homes within Gatineau Park, it was slated for demolition, part of the NCC’s effort to return parkland to its natural state. In fact, the pool had already been filled when a heritage report recommended its preservation. It was designated a federal heritage building in 2012. After a lengthy negotiation process, the NCC leased it to the Strutt Foundation in 2015.
QAT he Strutt Foundation has set up a public/private/notfor-profit model of heritage preservation, working with colleges and universities, as well as a committee of knowledgeable volunteers with expertise in architectural heritage, to stabilize and rehabilitate the property. Although structurally sound, it was in rough shape after sitting empty for three years. According to one volunteer, their mantra with the project is “What would James do?”
QAYes, but you have to arrange a visit in advance. Go to struttfoundation.ca and use the “contact us” tab to indicate your interest. The house is located at 1220 Chemin de la Montagne, Gatineau. Perched on the steep escarpment, it’s not an easily accessible location: Dozens of stairs lead up from a limited number of parking spaces, and there are more stairs at the entrance.
QAIt’s a work in progress, inside and out, with various rehabilitation projects that will be going on through the summer. The 1,679-square-foot residence includes an open-concept living and dining area, a compact kitchen and plenty of glass above the walls to make the most of the natural light, although some of the glass was still boarded over during this week’s press tour. Overall, it looks like a terrific party pad — James and Audrey Strutt loved music and were famous for their Friday-night parties, with a guest list that included the likes of Pierre Trudeau and Buckminster Fuller.
QAStarting May 1, Strutt House will be featured in an exhibition at the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre in Chelsea, about a 10-minute drive from the property. Entitled Conserving an Icon: The Strutt House, it’s also part of a student-compiled display of modernist residences across Canada.
QAAs part of its sesquicentennial celebrations, the NCC is shining a light on 10 of its most interesting but under-used properties in 2017. So far, the Confederation Pavilions to be unveiled include the winter pavilion at Rideau Hall, the urban agricultural pavilion at Moore Farm, the international pavilion on Clarence Street and now the modern architecture pavilion at Strutt House.