1950s marcel breuer iconic lauck house in new jersey goes on sale

the iconic house in garden (lauck house), built by hungarian modernist architect marcel breuer in 1950 in princeton, NJ, is currently on sale for $1,210,000. located in a secluded four-acre lot, the house is modeled after breuer’s design for the museum of modern art (MOMA) in new york, which was showcased in the museum’s garden in 1949 as part of its effort ot promote modern architecture in the US while addressing the needs of suburban living.

all images by jeff tyron, courtesy of BHHS fox & roach-princeton

the house was recently restored by rafi segal and sara segal, aided by the rockefeller foundation who provided the original color scheme for the house based on an analysis of the MOMA exhibit house, which the rockefellers purchased. consulting archival material and original plans, the architects reconstructed most of the house back to its initial state, shedding new light on the timeless icon.

at the time it was built, breuer’s house introduced new ideas for the design of single-family homes, including a children’s area, a central kitchen overlooking all house activities, multiple entrances from designated outdoor areas, varying ceiling heights, and more. simple in form and layout, the lauck house is rich in materiality, colors, finishes and details, as well as spaces of intimacy and openness.

currently on sale through berkshire hathaway home services, the house was commissioned by new york ad man gerold lauck, whose company was behind the famous ad campaign and slogan ‘diamonds are forever.’ in the mid 1980s a sun-room and gallery was added by a later owner in the southwest corner, extending the slope of the roof while carefully maintaining the footprint of the original design.

project info:

name: house in garden (lauck house)

architect: marcel breuer

restoration: rafi segal and sara segal

location: princeton, NJ, US

asking price: $1,210,000

more info: berkshire hathaway home services