Chapter 7

HOUSES OF CONTEMPORARY TIMES

RESIDENCES OF THE 1950s–1970s

By the second half of the twentieth century, the Cape’s population was increasingly expanding. While the summer population predominated most towns, the area was home to a significant number of year-round residents, and most houses were constructed for year-round use. An article in the August 1950 issue of Holiday magazine titled “Cape Cod’s New Cottages” describes the residences that were being built throughout the region at the time.

The article, authored by Carl Biemiller, depicts the Cape:

Geographically the Cape is small. No town is too far distant for a morning’s drive. Still, it owns an illusion of size due to the hundreds of side lanes which deviate from main highways and lead into pond-edge or bayside retreats. Entirely embraced by the sea, the Cape is warmer in winter than the mainland, with only a third as much snow as Boston. Springtime comes cool and late and garnished with rolling salt fogs and heavy mists. Midsummer days are hot with a crystalline quality that would fool a man with myopia into thinking he could see for ten miles… The autumn months, best of all in “native” judgement are dry and warm…Winter winds whip from the northwest in November, an icy change from the southwest winds which blow three out of five days the rest of the year at rates ranging from twelve to twenty-five miles an hour.

As always, Cape winds and weather influenced house design in the latter half of the twentieth century. Homeowners created gardens that were half covered to protect from the elements. Plate-glass windows, which could fall prey to etching in certain breezes, were placed where sand couldn’t get to them at ground-level sills. Houses very close to the water were placed on stilts so that high water, carefully computed for abnormal flood levels, could not enter the living quarters. Building materials were selected to resist dampness and corrosion. Massive fireplaces served as anchors and were a well-defined part of the newer Cape homes. Usually located away from windows, in many cases open on both sides with double hearths, the fireplace was frequently used as a separation between rooms.

Like the earliest Cape Cod–style houses that were shingled and allowed to weather silvery gray in color because of the abrasion that the salty air and sea winds caused, newer houses duplicated the technique. Otherwise, constant painting would be required to maintain a home’s exterior color, a costly and time-consuming endeavor. If homeowners did opt to paint their homes, the most common choice was a basic white, which was relatively cheaper than other colors. Houses trended toward informality that complimented the region’s laidback atmosphere; they were cheerful, light and open.

Biemiller wrote:

Most Cape residents prefer to take their color from the landscape with the “big view” as part of the house. Thus expansion glass areas are common. Openness is the key to house design and a variation of techniques is used to achieve it. There is wide use of skylights on both pitched and flat roofs. Clerestory windows (openings placed above eye level) spill light into hallways and entrance areas. Rooms themselves, although clearly identified units, have fewer wall partitions and more windows.

While ground-floor bedrooms with large windows or glass walls contributed to the outdoor illusion and may have seemed expansive, in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, most bedrooms tended to be small, without much space for sitting or dressing room arrangements, and closets were also small. They were in keeping with the informal way of life that architecture of the era was seeking to express. Similarly, bathrooms were compact, conventional and sparsely decorated. The baths were augmented by outdoor “shower rooms,” generally accessible from a terrace or a garden approach to a house. Kitchens were often located next to a terrace or adjacent to a screened porch and were equipped with the time period’s modern refinements, including pass pantries and bars that doubled as breakfast counters. “Because the trend is away from house servants most kitchens are loaded with step saving, built-in gadgetry, ranging from automatic dishwashers to wall-embedded refrigerators. Some kitchens, thoughtfully planned, double as workrooms and living area in which function they are returning to the traditions of the classic Cape Cod cottages where the kitchen was used as the center of family life,” wrote Biemiller.

Rooflines tended to vary during this period, and there was great debate about whether flat or pitched roofs were more efficient. While flat roofs were known to weather well and handle the Cape snowfalls with ease, the pitched roof was considered to do a great deal to increase the feeling of spaciousness in the interior as well as to offer variety and interest to small rooms.

Widely impressed by both the region and the newly constructed houses he toured on Cape Cod, Biemiller wrote:

Modern or conventional, the holiday house on the Cape is likely to be a retreat tucked among the trees with its back to main highways, or a sun-sprinkled edifice on a jut of sand reaching to the sea. It offers a thrilling, fall-away view of a tree-cloistered pond or a horizon sight of ocean. Simple enough in appearance from the outside it is carefully zoned for the maximum family comfort. Houses have moods and the atmosphere of the Cape house is one of untroubled security close to nature, but taking advantage of every possible mechanical blessing.

THE INFLUENCE OF PAST STYLES ON
PRESENT-DAY ARCHITECTURE

While not nearly as publicized as the broad beaches and serene salt marshes, the array of house styles is considered by many to be one of the Cape’s particular attributes, says Sara Porter, an architect who practices in Yarmouthport.

I think one of the reasons people are attracted to this area is because of the diversity of the existing architecture. It is unique to have the range of house styles that are found here. Cape-style houses have been being built since the 1600s, and while each one is based on that symmetrical one-and-a-half-story design, the different centuries have influenced the design in some way. Those built in 1780 might depict Georgian influence, others built in the early nineteenth century typically have hallmarks of Greek Revival design and then you’ll see Capes with Gothic Revival porches or Italianate arched windows. Just like we do today, people would change their houses, add details that were popular at the time that they were drawn to. The layering of styles is really very interesting around here.

When it comes to houses constructed in recent decades, Porter, who takes the lead from historic styles in her designs, says: “Certainly how we live is different, but historic elements have become part of the norm of present-day residential architecture.” Today’s architectural styles look to the past, featuring forms and volumes, window styles, trim details and rooflines that may have been slightly modified or reinterpreted but are relatively the same as they were in past centuries.

John DaSilva, principal of Polhemus DaSilva Architects Builders in Chatham, agrees that most of today’s houses are variations of past styles.

The Cape is still a very popular house type. It was born out of necessity—the need to hunker down and ride out storms along with the economically driven need for efficient and inexpensive construction. Except for brief periods in limited locales, Cape Cod has never been a particularly wealthy region. Its building transitions evolved out of an economy of scarcity rather than plenty. The Cape house type was low to the ground, easy to build with a minimum of skilled labor and efficiently laid out to maximize flexibility in use of space, materials and heat. Economy is still a factor in some people’s decisions to build Capes today, but romantic and nostalgic ideas are also prevalent.

Polhemus DaSilva Architects Builders designed and built the contemporary Cape pictured here to satisfy both a romantic attachment to the historic house type and a functional need for a sizeable house. The tall gambrel roof crowns three floors of living space. The back of the house is whimsically detailed; it explodes into a three-story pile that stretches up to capture water views and that elegantly evokes soaring sea gull’s wings or crashing waves of the ocean context.

A contemporary Cape Cod–style house with a tall gambrel roof that crowns three floors of living space. Photograph by Randall Perry. Courtesy of Polhemus DaSilva Architects Builders.

The whimsically detailed back of the house has a storybook quality to it. Photograph by Randall Perry. Courtesy of Polhemus DaSilva Architects Builders.

DaSilva notes that the strongest influence from the past is the symbolic Cape Cod–style house but points out that the Shingle style is also frequently emulated in current designs and has become somewhat of a local vernacular. Greek Revival and Gothic Revival traits are also commonly incorporated into new houses. “We design houses that are influenced by all of these styles [along with Georgians, Italianates and bungalows], but they are not literal re-creations of these,” says DaSilva. The house pictured here, located on a lake and designed by DaSilva’s firm, combines the hipped roof/big overhangs/horizontal reach of classic summer camp bungalows with the pointed arches of the Gothic Revival. “The interior stairway is dramatic yet fun. Here the Gothic of the house’s front porch gives way to even more eclectic references inside,” says DaSilva. “The flat columns and balusters evoke Baroque architecture, or ropes, or child’s drawings or…but all in a playful way befitting an active family seeking playtime at their lakeside retreat.”

This lakeside house integrates bungalow style with Gothic Revival. Photograph by Randall Perry. Courtesy of Polhemus DaSilva Architects Builders.

Inside, flat columns and balusters evoke Baroque architecture. Photograph by Randall Perry. Courtesy of Polhemus DaSilva Architects Builders.

While Modernist-inspired houses continue to be built throughout the Cape, they are not the norm. In recent years, most people building on the Cape want houses that look relatively traditional on the outside. The interiors, however, have made steady transitions. “Early on, the primary consideration in building houses was to shelter you from the weather. That’s changed quite a bit. We want more light, more windows, more open floor plans that combine the kitchen, dining area and family room,” says Porter. “My clients want more bedrooms and bathrooms for extended family and guests, more attention to space for outdoor living and ample storage space.”

While houses on Cape Cod were originally built in protected areas, in valleys or town where protection was afforded, rather than exposed on hilltops or on the beach, that has significantly changed over time. “When the economy changed to a tourism base, people came here to experience the landscape and seascape, and they located their houses to take advantage of nature as it came to be seen as an asset rather than a liability. This is still the case today,” says DaSilva. Views are highly coveted in homes built now. “Water view land here is so expensive that if you’re fortunate to have access to it, it’s a given that a house will be designed to maximize views,” he adds. One of DaSilva’s designs, a contemporary version of the Shingle style with a classic “umbrella gambrel” roof shape (a gambrel that flares out at it eaves), is a traditional beach house with a fresh attitude. The house nestles into the dunes and is shaped so the lines of the rolling landscape and seascape are reflected in the rolling roofscape. From the beach, the house has more roof than walls. An eclectic take on the Shingle style is DaSilva’s own home, which features combined English cottage architecture and Bay-area Shingle style to create a quirky yet urbane house. The rich brown, orange and black color scheme is cheerful year-round for a family home, versus the typical gray and white most associated with vernacular buildings in the intense Cape Cod summer sun.

During the 1970s, Porter says that there was a lot of momentum to build sustainable structures, and while that had fizzled by the mid-1980s, there is now a great deal of talk about incorporating green technologies into new houses in the area. “People are interested in solar technologies and geothermal systems. The state has become more stringent about energy requirements. In addition, new construction must comply with strict wind impact rules, which requires a lot of structural elements that necessitate lengthy reviews by engineers,” she says. While the Cape’s zoning regulations are strict and getting the necessary permits can sometimes be an arduous process, people building houses are becoming interested in using the Cape’s forceful winds to their benefit by building wind turbines on their properties.

A contemporary version of a classic Shingle-style home on the beach. Photograph by Randall Perry. Courtesy of Polhemus DaSilva Architects Builders.

From the beach, the house, nestled in the dunes, has more roof than walls. Photograph by Randall Perry. Courtesy of Polhemus DaSilva Architects Builders.

Incomplete forms, like partial dormers and bay windows, characterize this contemporary home that combines English cottage architecture and Bay-area Shingle style. Photograph by Paul Rocheleau. Courtesy of Polhemus DaSilva Architects Builders.

Porter says:

The future of architecture will likely continue demonstrating affection for the past while incorporating innovative elements and materials. There are more man-made materials, more efficient windows and heating systems and high-tech accommodations for the computer, TV, telecommunication and sound systems. People hope to design homes that are compatible with the natural surroundings and existing architectural styles, demonstrating a respect for and interest in history. Their homes reflect an increasing need for convenience and comfort while trying to preserve the quality of life on Cape Cod.

The rich brown, orange and black color scheme is a contrast to the typical gray and white most commonly associated with residential architecture on Cape Cod. Photograph by Paul Rocheleau. Courtesy of Polhemus DaSilva Architects Builders.

PRESERVING HISTORIC HOUSES

Preservationists have made great strides to protect the area’s historic structures. Countless structures on Cape Cod are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and exterior alterations of historic properties are strictly regulated by local historic districts. The districts also require the review of new construction projects. Local historic districts play an important role in preserving the distinct neighborhoods of the Cape. Historic district commissions, charged with reviewing developmental proposals within the districts, face increasing opposition. According to the Cape Cod Commission website,

To help ease the process, detailed guidelines direct the reviews and commissions work with town planning departments, zoning enforcement officers, and the Cape Cod Commission—the Cape’s regional planning and regulatory authority—to ensure consistency of their goals and regulations.

Over the years, as new development increased in the area, many distinctive cultural landscapes, which define the boundaries between village centers and reflect the region’s architectural heritage disappeared.

The Cape Cod Commission was formed in 1990 to develop conservation restrictions that seek to protect historic landscapes and properties from further disintegration. The website states:

In many cases, demolition-delay bylaws, which provide an opportunity to consider alternatives to demolition of an historic property, have been effective. Eleven Cape towns have passed demolition-delay bylaws and most of them provide for at least a six-month delay, discourage demolition by neglect, and require new development plans to be approved by all town boards before a demolition permit is issued. In highly desirable locations, unfortunately, the pressure to demolish historic properties continues to be high, as many individuals desire to build larger, more contemporary structures that capitalize on views.

Preservation restrictions—deed restrictions that require preservation of a building’s historic exterior features—have been useful in protecting important historic properties.

For example, the Old King’s Highway is considered to be one of the largest designated historic districts in the country, as well as one of the oldest. Beginning in Bourne, it crosses through the communities of Barnstable, Yarmouth, Dennis, Brewster and Orleans. The Old King’s Highway Regional Historic District Commission was established in 1973 to protect from the intrusion of large or unsightly signs, unattractive or view-blocking fences and the construction of new homes, sheds and garages that might be inappropriate or incongruous with the existing historic structures. Town committees of elected volunteers review all proposed exterior changes to houses in the district. Their review includes exterior design, colors, window and door types, signs and lighting.

The Cape Cod Commission requires encouragement of the appropriate reuse of existing historic structures, and in some cases, antique buildings have been moved to sites where they may be better utilized and appreciated. According to the commission’s website:

The Cape Cod Commission mandates that alterations should be accommodated in a manner consistent with the properties’ essential historic elements and patterns of change over time. However, the organization is sensitive to the progress of the present day and typically allows for appropriate changes to accommodate new uses and technologies that will help promote the reuse of historic properties and ultimately encourage their preservation.

The Cape Cod Commission’s review of historic properties focuses on allowing for “rehabilitation” as defined by the US Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties. So defined, rehabilitation is “the act or process of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations, and additions while preserving those portions or features that convey its historical, cultural, or architectural values.” When it comes to new development adjacent to or within Cape historic districts or historic properties, new structures are required to be designed consistently with the character of the area and to retain distinct features of the neighborhood. Elements of the distinctive area’s character such as building mass, height, scale, roof shape, roof pitch, building materials, and proportion between doors and windows must be maintained.

While DaSilva is a great supporter of historic architecture, he is careful to note that his passion for preservation has limits. He says:

I do not use a “preservation” attitude to reject or deny change…Change in past eras is what has made the built environment here so desirable. We would not, for example, have the Chatham Depot if Victorians were disallowed long ago. We would not have the Eldredge Public Library if Richardsonian Romanesque were disallowed. These are two beautiful and beloved pieces of architecture, but they are dramatically different from what came before them. To this day there are historic review boards in our region that reject these buildings because they would be “out of character” with their neighbors.

“I am a preservationist in the sense that I believe buildings that are of high architectural quality, that have valid cultural significance and that create the fabric of village centers should be preserved,” he says, while cautioning that we must take care not to deny change or freeze the built environment into any one era.

UPDATING CLASSIC HOUSES FOR CONTEMPORARY
LIVING

One of the main reasons that historic houses are threatened is because of the high cost of restoration. Equipping them with systems that meet modern requirements and simply stabilizing some of the more deteriorated structures can be an exhaustive process. DaSilva says:

It’s tricky to update an historic house. If done well, it is generally more expensive to save and restore an old house than it is to build a new one. It takes a commitment from the owners to choose materials and details that are historically appropriate. Contemporary regulations require upgrading structure, stair dimensions, railing heights, head room, fireplace dimensions, insulation, heating and cooling systems, etc. to meet current building and energy codes.

He does point out, however, that many local building officials are somewhat flexible when it comes to antique houses.

Clients who want low-maintenance materials will most often find that they are not easily incorporated into historic homes. For example, while historic houses on the Cape always had wood window frames and sash, DaSilva says most of today’s homeowners want aluminum- or vinyl-clad windows because they do not have to be regularly repainted. They are also less expensive when the labor to paint them is taken into account. He points out:

The problem is that aluminum- or vinyl-clad windows are detailed very differently than traditional wood windows. They sit in the wall differently—with their faces designed to be flush with or extending beyond the casing trim rather than behind the casing trim. This significantly changes the way shadow lines are cast around the windows…With stimulated divided lights, the muntin bars overlap the glass, and there is a shiny aluminum spacer bar between the two panes of glass. From an angle the aluminum is visible through the glass, especially when the sun is at an angle and reflections are bright.

From the exterior it is noticeable that the windows aren’t part of the home’s original design. While maintenance can be a big issue when it comes to wood frame windows on historic houses—screens and storm windows have to be removed and stored seasonally and repainted regularly—the authentic windows add great appeal to the character of the house.

While the costs and effort required to overhaul a historic house may be steep, Porter contends that it is possible to make one suitable for contemporary lifestyles without compromising its integrity or breaking the bank. “By looking at the exterior of a house, you often don’t know what’s going on inside,” she says, explaining that in many cases owners opt, and are required to if they are located in historic districts, to keep the front façade intact. “Rooms are smaller in the older houses, and surprisingly, many people actually don’t mind that. In favor of historic preservation they’ll keep the front rooms intact and create an addition to the back of the house that isn’t visible from the street.” On back additions, homeowners can accommodate modern living by creating large, open areas with big kitchens and rooms that revolve around family living. Large windows and spacious first-floor master suites are typically part of renovations to older houses, she adds, pointing out that homeowners may spend little time in the home’s original front rooms, choosing to do most their living in the new family-centric spaces.

“Living in an old house is about making compromises,” says Porter. “But that’s part of the charm.”