Vanna Venturi House

The Vanna Venturi House is a single-family residence in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, designed with asymmetrical facades and an unexpected roof shape. The exterior displays a mix of light wood framing and geometric forms that clearly depart from the straight lines of typical homes.

Designed by Robert Venturi in 1964, it marked a turning point in architecture by deliberately rejecting the strict rules of modernism. This choice opened the door to a new design approach that challenged the single dominant aesthetic of its time.

The home is now studied in architecture schools as a teaching tool, demonstrating how familiar residential forms can be reimagined creatively. Visitors see how everyday domestic elements were transformed into a statement about design thinking.

The residence sits in a quiet residential neighborhood and is easy to spot from the street thanks to its distinctive shape and asymmetrical design. Visitors should note that this is a private home and access may be limited.

The roof was deliberately fragmented and angled unevenly, unlike the steep pitched roofs of traditional American homes. This seemingly odd choice was actually an artistic statement against the predictability of architecture at the time.

Location: Chestnut Hill

Inception: 1964

Architects: Robert Venturi

Creator: Robert Venturi

Official opening: 1964

Architectural style: postmodern architecture

Website: http://vsba.com/projects/fla_archive/10.html

GPS coordinates: 40.07070,-75.20810

Latest update: December 6, 2025 22:07