Philadelphia area also has a number of mid-century modern Techbuilt homes. These were some of the first modern prefabricated homes available, presaging what is now becoming a major movement in environmentally-conscious and efficient residential architecture. Techbuilt owners enjoyed modern design without the high cost of custom design and construction. Over 3,000 Techbuilts were built around the country, with most being built on larger, wooded lots in the close suburbs of Boston, New York, and other northeastern cities. They were designed and manufactured by Carl Koch, who had studied with Walter Gropius at Harvard and then worked in Sweden. The modular design was available in six sizes and with a large variety of options, including room layouts, inside and outside balconies, and exterior materials and finishes. All Techbuilts have A-frame roofs, large expanses of glass, and no load-bearing interior and exterior walls, which makes them easy to modify. Most Techbuilts have been reconfigured and expanded over the years.
Tech house addition by Metcalfe Architecture and Design
Link to Metcalf website
This project included the renovation and
addition to a mid-century kit house located in the suburbs of
Philadelphia.
Photos by Barry Halkin
link to Barry Halkin's architectural photography
Index to MODERN HOMES PHILADELPHIA History Pages
Overview of Philadelphia Area Mid-Century Modern Residential Architecture (below on this page) Photo overview followed by brief written overview of Philadelphia mid-century architects .
Time Line of area modern homes from 1930's to today Mid-Century Modern Homes
Architects Who Designed Mid-Century Modern Homes in the Philadelphia Region
photographs of the regional homes designed by each architect are included
