Lescaze House, International Style residence in East Midtown Manhattan, United States.
The Lescaze House at 211 East 48th Street is a four-story residence with white-painted stucco walls and glass block windows integrated throughout its exterior. The building contains an office on the ground floor and residential quarters above, served by separate entrances sheltered under a projecting canopy supported by a single column.
William Lescaze transformed a traditional 19th-century townhouse between 1933 and 1934 into a modern building design. This conversion created one of the first modernist residences in New York City during that period.
The building demonstrates how designers of the 1930s experimented with combining work and living spaces under one roof. The separation of office and residence within a single home reflected new thinking about how people wanted to live during that era.
The glass block windows were the first of their kind used in New York City and allow natural light while providing insulation and privacy. Visitors should note the thoughtful arrangement of two separate entrances that reflect the building's different functions.
The house was built with innovative glass block technology that was entirely new to New York City at that time. This technique allowed the creation of modern facades that brought in light while protecting the privacy of those inside.
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