Alcoa Care-free Home, Experimental home in Brighton, United States.
The Alcoa Care-free Home is a ranch-style residence in Brighton built with floor-to-ceiling glass walls framed in aluminum and supported by wood columns. The structure spans roughly 1,900 square feet and includes a carport and basement, preserving its original 1950s design features.
Built in 1957 as a demonstration project by architect Charles M. Goodman, it was one of 24 similar homes constructed across the country. The project showcased how industrial manufacturers pioneered new construction techniques and materials for residential development.
The home embodies 1950s housing ideals with open floor plans and contemporary materials designed for young post-war families. The use of aluminum and glass shaped the overall character and demonstrates how manufacturers envisioned modern living for that era.
The house is located in a residential neighborhood and can be viewed from the street, where the glass elements and overall form are clearly visible. The architecture and details are best appreciated from the exterior vantage point that shows the complete facade.
This home is the only Alcoa Care-free Home in New York State and features end walls made entirely of plate glass with aluminum framing. The transparent end walls are a distinctive feature that shows how manufacturers of that era experimented with dissolving the boundary between interior and exterior space.
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