Award-winning architect designed Squirrel Hill home
Robert Venturi, a Pritzker Prize-winning architect who rejected the boxy, geometric buildings favored by modernists, died Tuesday at his home in Philadelphia at age 93.
Decades ago, he designed a home in Squirrel Hill with his wife, Denise Scott Brown, that has been described by experts as a “masterpiece of postmodern architecture.” It recently was in the news when the current owners applied to the city of Pittsburgh to demolish it. The house, notable for its floorto-ceiling window shaped like a ship’s wheel, draws architecture lovers from around the world.
William and Patricia Snyder, who own the home on Woodland Road, applied on July 23 for the OK to tear it down. Since May 2017, they have been remodeling a white modern home they own next door, which was designed by Richard Meier, another famous architect.
The home Mr. Venturi designed was commissioned by the late Betty Abrams and finished in 1982. Mrs. Abrams died in February. Her will provided that her home would go to Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation but only if it appraised at a certain value.
Karamagi Rujumba, a PHLF spokesman, said the organization is “still trying to come to an alternative resolution other than demolition of the Robert Venturi house.”
When news broke of the Snyders’ demolition plans, PHLF nominated the property for historic designation by the city. The nomination is slated for review at the Oct. 3 meeting of the city’s historic revision commission.
The nomination, Mr. Rujumba said, was a way to buy time so that PHLF could work out a deal with the Snyders and avert demolition.
The Snyders, as communicated through their adviser and art dealer Sam Berkovitz, maintain that demolition is the only option for the Venturi house because of what they call irreparable damage to it.