The Fischer House

I spent a lovely weekend with friends in a home I had been hearing a lot about located on a gorgeous lake in Connecticut.  It was special for many reasons, one being the home itself.  A modernist gem built by an architect who himself has a lasting mystique surrounding him.  Norman Jaffe was known as an architect who approached each design with respect of its site and in harmony with its environment.  Modern, albeit modest comfortable spaces with well thought out details were part of the charm.

The Fischer House

"Houses like this put Norman on the map. Respectful of the site, harmoniously proportioned, beautifully crafted. Modest, comfortable spaces filled with light and surprises. These kinds of experiences were often lost in later, larger houses.

Still lovingly maintained by the original owners."

An original drawing of the home.  His cantilevered, shingled architecture and seamless glass window corners were paramount to his early award winning designs.

While there, all you need do is relax and unwind.  A sheet was wrapped around the 2 poles on the deck for outdoor movies.  The night was beautiful and watching the movie outside brought with it childlike glee!

The original honed slate table was in extraordinarily good condition, as was almost everything built into the home.  They don't make things like that any more!  I can't seem to get more than 10 to 15 years out of anything in my home.

Like a snapshot in time.  Nothing has changed, and there is something really magical about that!

When not relaxing on the deck, life revolves around a pristine lake.  Water lilies and wild water flowers hung the shore.  I really never saw a lake so clean and beautiful (which is why no motor vehicles are allowed).

On the morning of August 19th, 1993, Norman left his clothes folded neatly on the beach in Bridgehampton and was never seen again.  It is assumed he drowned, but it also has been speculated that he took his life.  We will never know.