Peacock Farm, Historic residential district in Lexington, Massachusetts, US.
Peacock Farm is a modernist residential neighborhood spanning about 42 acres with houses featuring split-level designs, large glass windows, and vertical cedar siding. The architects incorporated the natural terrain through raised basements and low-pitched roofs that adapt to the steep landscape gradients.
The development was built between 1953 and 1960 on the site of a former dairy farm, designed by architects from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This transformation marked the conversion of rural land into a planned residential community for professionals during the post-war expansion era.
Scholars and scientists chose this community as their home, drawn by proximity to leading research institutions and the promise of a thoughtfully designed residential space. The neighborhood became known among academics for offering both intellectual kinship and modern family living.
The neighborhood is best explored on foot to appreciate the architectural details and how each house sits on the sloping terrain. Visit during daylight hours to see how the light interacts with the glass windows and cedar details that define the homes.
The original 1830 farmhouse and barn still stand at the entrance to this modern development, creating a striking contrast to the mid-century homes. These structures tell the story of what once occupied this land before it became a planned community.
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