Rietveld's Hidden U.S. House Surfaces

A significant architectural discovery has been made in Ohio, revealing a rare residential design by Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld. Known for his iconic 1918 "Red Blue Chair" and his contributions to the de Stijl movement, Rietveld designed approximately 100 houses, with only one documented in the United States.

This unique U.S. home was commissioned by Charles Percy Parkhurst, an Oberlin College art history professor. Despite Rietveld being denied entry to the United States in 1956 due to alleged communist sympathies, the house was built from his blueprints. The residence, a four-bedroom split-level near Oberlin, has undergone alterations over the years but retains its connection to Rietveld's distinct style.

While the house has been modified for modern living, including an enlarged kitchen and master suite, its current owner views it as a personal space rather than a historical restoration. This discovery challenges the notion that Rietveld's architectural footprint in the U.S. was limited to furniture and intellectual appreciation, highlighting a tangible, albeit altered, piece of his legacy.