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TP09 Six Moon Hill and the Big Dig House HSW NWA
05/14/2008, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM


Learning Units: 3.00-Bus and Walking Tour
Training Units: 0.75-Training Area 17 (Planning)

In 1948 partners of The Architects Collaborative (TAC) and some interested friends decided to build a housing community in Lexington, Mass. Its name, Six Moon Hill, was derived from the six Moon cars, remnants of the roaring twenties, abandoned in an old barn on the site. After great deliberation, the partners drew up a site plan that called for a long cul-de-sac road through the center of the property with one-half-acre house lots on each side. In keeping with TAC's strongly held cooperative ideals, a buoyant spirit of community prevailed. The land was developed on a nonprofit basis, and the prices of the land were reasonable and equal. Formal bylaws were adhered to and, when issues arose, each family was given two votes. Great effort was taken to preserve the rugged character of the terrain and four acres of common land were set aside for "sports, conversation, and escape." Eventually the community grew to 30 families. Although there was considerable variation in the individual plans, the repetitive roof rhythm, the redwood siding, and the extensive use of glass all contributed to an overall sense of harmony and unity of design. Today, with two-income families and far fewer children, many of the old traditions have vanished. However, new families are always welcomed with parties, and not one of the original houses has been torn down. The most recent addition, the "Big Dig House," is celebrated for its innovative use of recycled construction materials. Most fittingly, the design represents a continuum of collaboration on Six Moon Hill. The client, Paul Pedini, a vice president of Modern Continental Construction, has worked unflaggingly with the architects, John Hong, AIA, and Jinhee Park, AIA, of Single Speed Design, to achieve beautiful, harmonious housing. Come join us to experience the past and present of this unique community.

Learning Objectives:
  • Identify the elements of a utopian community as conceived in 1948 and assess the contributions of harmony and unity of design to the original communal goals
  • Compare the elements of the design and use of materials of the 21st-century house to those of the mid-20th century
  • Determine whether the design of the 21st-century home promotes or deviates from the original community ideals and whether the original ideals continue to be appropriate to 21st-century lifestyles
TP09 Wednesday, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $80

Core Disciplines: Design