gustavson residence

"In designing this crisply rhythmic house for his own family - a traditionally daunting chore - architect Gustavson states: 'Designing a residence for my family was an exciting challenge. I wanted a residence that had privacy and yet an openness to the view and the interior landscaping of the site. The property, coupled with the landscaping and location on a private road, was large enough to insure the privacy we wanted. To gain the view and intimacy with the surrounds and the seasons, we decided to design principally a glass house. A steel frame was used to gain the freedom of plan desired and to permit the large glass areas.... The bedroom organization was to reverse this openness and divide the space into three bedrooms and a study library.'

His success in suiting his own program is very evident in the unforced elegance of the house, in the extremely workable plan, and in the not exorbitant cost of $40,000 for 2200 sq ft of roof, and a separate carport, also of steel frame.

Of the house, Gustavson now says: 'The plan has worked very well. My wife and children have not had any suggestions on how to do it better, and I consider this a real accomplishment.'"
(Architectural Record, Architectural Houses of 1960, Mid-May 1960, v. 127, page 136)






Nine years after this home was built, "Salt Lake architect Dean L. Gustavson was elected president of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards during the annual convention at Chicago." (reported in Deseret News June 28, 1969, page A11)

NCARB President 1970 Dean L. Gustavson, FAIA, Utah





"The plan centers on the use of a compact kitchen-utility-bathroom-closet core. The element is treated as a piece of furniture, with walnut panel surfaces. The space of four areas flows around the core: entrance, living area, kitchen-dining area, and family multi-use room. There is space, yet some separation.

Materials used in the structure are generally exposed throughout: the white-painted steel frame; the face brick laid in a flemish bond; the oak window fenestration, stained black and varnished. Interior woodwork is lacquered walnut. Other wall areas are ceramic tile in bathrooms and plasterboard on some bedroom walls. The ceiling is suspended plaster. Draperies are a light beige-gold color; floor coverings are white vinyl and gold colored carpeting.

The utility systems are largely incorporated in the floor slab. Heating is by two reverse-flow forced-air furnaces feeding to a perimeter under-floor duct system. It was designed for a quick air change and heat delivery. Electrical and phone service is by underground conduit."
(Architectural Record, Architectural Houses of 1960, Mid-May 1960, v. 127, page 139)



(All photos are by William Beal. Scanned from Architectural Record, Architectural Houses of 1960, Mid-May 1960, v. 127, page 136-139)

I have not yet been able to locate this home in the Salt Lake valley. If anyone has information on its location, I would greatly appreciate it.