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Finding aid for the Peter Eisenman architectural drawings for House VI, 1972
Finding aid prepared by J. Gibbs.

Finding aid for the Peter

Eisenman architectural drawings
for House VI, 1972 ...

920049

Descriptive Summary
Title: Peter Eisenman architectural drawings for House VI
Date (inclusive): 1972
Number: 920049
Creator/Collector: Eisenman, Peter, 1932Physical Description: 63.0 drawing(s)
Repository:
The Getty Research Institute
Special Collections
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, California, 90049-1688
(310) 440-7390
Abstract: Sixty-three architectural drawings in pencil, pen and marker on paper document the design development of
House VI, one of Peter Eisenman's most important early polemical designs. Commissioned by Suzanne and Dick Frank, it
was designed and built in 1972-1975, in Cornwall, Connecticut. All the drawings in this collection date from 1972.
Request Materials: Request access to the physical materials described in this inventory through the catalog record for
this collection. Click here for the access policy.
Language: Collection material is in English
Biographical/Historical Note
American architect, educator and theoretician, Peter Eisenman founded the Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies in
New York City in 1967. Critics of that time dubbed him one of the New York Five (along with Michael Graves, Charles
Gwathmey, John Hejduk, and Richard Meier), a loose, theoretical and aesthetic grouping of New York architects that
presaged Post-Modernism. The Corbusier-inspired design of House VI, Eisenman's sixth house design, signals the formalist
aesthetic of that school.
Commissioned by Suzanne and Dick Frank in 1972 for a site in Cornwall, Connecticut and built in 1975, it was the most
polemical of his designs to date. Published widely, the house thus garnered both recognition and controversy for Eisenman.
Many critics considered House VI, also known as the Frank House, Eisenman's most important work. It certainly generated
considerable dialogue within the architecture community among architects, critics and historians. John Hejduk described
the residence as the "second canonical De Stijl house," a reference to Gerrit Rietveld's Neo-Plastic Schroeder House,
although Eisenman took issue with this conclusion, describing House VI instead as an "inversion" of De Stijl design. Critics
have noted Eisenman's attempt to marry linguistic theory to design; his interest in Noam Chomsky's theory of syntax and
transformational grammar is particularly evident in the series of "transformational" axonometric drawings he made of
House VI.
Several of the design drawings in this collection appear in Suzanne Frank's book, Peter Eisenman's House VI: the client's
response, published in 1994.
Access
Open for use by qualified researchers.
Publication Rights
Contact Library Rights and Reproductions.
Preferred Citation
Peter Eisenman architectural drawings for House VI, 1972, Research Library, The Getty Research Institute, Accession no.
920049
http://hdl.handle.net/10020/cifa920049
Acquisition Information
Acquired from Peter Eisenman in 1992.
Processing History
Processed in 1993, more finely processed and arranged in 2001.
Scope and Content of Collection
Sixty-three architectural drawings in pencil and ink on paper document the complete design development for House VI, also
known as the Frank House. All the drawings are from 1972 and have ID numbers written on them by Eisenman's office.

Finding aid for the Peter

Eisenman architectural drawings
for House VI, 1972 ...

920049

Most critics and historians consider House VI one of Eisenman's most important early designs. The most theoretical and
polemical of his designs to date, Eisenman described House VI as a turning point in his career. The collection includes an
elaborate series of preliminary sketches that reveal the origin of elements retained in the final design. During the design
process, Eisenman felt that he "achieved a synthesis between the isolation of the architectural sign and the generation of
the autonomous object."
Arrangement note
Arranged in one series by the drawings' ID numbers.
Subjects - Names
Eisenman, Peter, 1932Subjects - Corporate Bodies
House Six (Cornwall, Conn.)
House VI (Cornwall, Conn.)
Subjects - Topics
Architecture, Domestic--United States
Architecture, Postmodern--Designs and plans
Architecture, Postmodern--United States--Connecticut
Architecture--Connecticut--Cornwell--20th century
Subjects - Places
Cornwall (Conn.)--Buildings, structures, etc
Genres and Forms of Material
Architectural drawings (visual works)
Design development drawings
Sketches
Contributors
Eisenman Architects
Frank, Dick
Frank, Suzanne S. (Suzanne Shulof)

SeriesI. Design development drawings for House VI, 1972

Physical Description: 1.0 oversized box
Scope and Content Note
Three folders contain the complete design development for House VI, a total of 63 drawings,
executed in pencil and ink on paper. All items date from 1972. Many are annotated with
dates and other notes.

Box 1, Folder 1
Box 1, Folder 1

A.1-A.20
A.1: Grids with columns, notes, and axonometric sketch, n.d.
Scope and Content Note
Pen and ink on white bond, 8 11

Box 1, Folder 1

A.2: Grid re-arrangements with notes, n.d.

Scope and Content Note
pencil on white bond, 8 11

Box 1, Folder 1

A.3: Axonometric grid with black and red intersecting lines, n.d.
Scope and Content Note
red and black ink on white bond, 8 11

Finding aid for the Peter

Eisenman architectural drawings
for House VI, 1972 ...

920049

SeriesI.Design development drawings for House VI, 1972

Box 1, Folder 1

A.4: Intersecting rectangles with highlighted lines, n.d.

Scope and Content Note
red, blue and black ink on white bond, 8 11

Box 1, Folder 1

A.5: Axonometric with elevation, n.d.

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white, bond, 8 11 [stained]
Notation: 6C HOC

Box 1, Folder 1

A.6: Axonometric with dimensioned plan, 10 July 1972

Scope and Content Note
ink on white bond 3 -hole punch, 8 11

Box 1, Folder 2

A.7: Axonometric with car, doodle and notes, 10 July 1972

Scope and Content Note
pencil and ink on yellow bond, 8 11
Notations: House VI, 10 July 72, HOC

Box 1, Folder 1

A.8: Axonometric with dimensions, n.d.

Scope and Content Note
blue ink on white bond, 6 11

Box 1, Folder 1

A.9: Axonometric, n.d.

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace

Box 1, Folder 1

A.10: Isometric with 2 elevations, 10 Nov 1972

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white bond, 8 11
Notation: 10 Nov 72

Box 1, Folder 1

A.11: Four thumbnail sketches: plan, section, plan detail, and axonometric, with
notes, 6 May 1972
Scope and Content Note
black ink on white bond, 8 11
Notations: 6 May 72, Frank House VI

Box 1, Folder 1

A.12: Isometric of interior furnishings and plan, n.d.

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white bond, 8 11
Notation: House six

Box 1, Folder 1

A.13: Photocopy collage of drafted drawing and photograph, n.d.

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white bond, 8 11
Notation: East elevation

Box 1, Folder 1

A.14: Shifting plan study with axonometric and notes, n.d.

Scope and Content Note
blue and black ink on white bond, 8 11
Notations: 6E HOC

Finding aid for the Peter

Eisenman architectural drawings
for House VI, 1972 ...

920049

SeriesI.Design development drawings for House VI, 1972

Box 1, Folder 1

A.15: Sketches in plan and axonometric, n.d.

Scope and Content Note
black ink on yellow bond 3-hole punch, 8 11

Box 1, Folder 1

A.16a: Sketch plan diagram with circulation and axonometric detail with
dimensions, n.d.
Scope and Content Note
pencil on while bond, 8 11
Notation: Rockefeller etc

Box 1, Folder 1

A.16b: Plan study and sketch with circulation arrow, n.d.

Scope and Content Note
pencil on white bond, 8 11

Box 1, Folder 1

A.17: Plan with dimensions, 22 Nov 1972

Scope and Content Note
Pencil, red pencil on white trace (drafted drawing) 14 15
Notations: Current plan, 22 Nov 72

Box 1, Folder 1

A.18: Construction detail of column, with notes and dimensions, n.d.

Scope and Content Note
Black and red ink on white bond, 8 11
Notation: Column 2

Box 1, Folder 1

A.19: Detail plan with dimensions and notes in red pen, n.d.
Scope and Content Note
black and red pen, white bond 3-hole punch, 8 11
Notations: Detail column 21 and 22

Box 1, Folder 1

A.20: Partial plan studies, 5 June 1972

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white bond, 8 11 [ink blot]
Notations: House VI, 5 Jun 72, HOC

Box 1, Folder 2
Box 1, Folder 2

A.21-A.35
A.21: Grid with doodles, n.d.
Scope and Content Note
pencil and blue ink on paper vellum

Box 1, Folder 2

A.22: Grids with thumbnail plans, 20 Aug 1972

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace [torn, ink blot]
Notations: 20 Aug 72, House VI, HOC

Box 1, Folder 2

A.23: Grids with color plan and sketch plan, 21 Aug 1972
Scope and Content Note
black, blue, red ink on white trace
Notations: 21 Aug 72, House VI, HOC

Finding aid for the Peter

Eisenman architectural drawings
for House VI, 1972 ...

920049

SeriesI.Design development drawings for House VI, 1972

Box 1, Folder 2

A.24: Plans, colored brown, red, black, yellow, 22 Aug 1972

Scope and Content Note
colored inks on white bond, 7 9
Notations: 22 Aug 72, HOC

Box 1, Folder 2

A.25: Grid with dimensions and arrows, 23 Aug 1972

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white bond, 7 9
Notations: House VI, 23 Aug 72, HOC

Box 1, Folder 2

A.26: Grids with plans, n.d.

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace
Notation: HOC

Box 1, Folder 2

A.27: Two plans with dimensions, 21 Aug 1972

Scope and Content Note
orange pencil, brown and black ink on yellow trace, 8 10
Notations: 21 Aug 72, HOC

Box 1, Folder 2

A.28: Two plans with dimensions, 21 Aug 1972

Scope and Content Note
brown ink on yellow trace, 8 10
Notations: 21 Aug 72, House VI, HOC

Box 1, Folder 2

A.29: One plan and one partial plan, 21 Aug 1972

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 8 10
Notations: 21 Aug 72, Ground, House 6

Box 1, Folder 2

A.30: Plan, elevation, and axonometric, 28 Aug 1972

Scope and Content Note
brown ink on yellow trace, 8 10
Notations: 28 Aug 72, House VI, HOC

Box 1, Folder 2

A.31: Axonometric of cube with blue and red lines [#3], n.d.
Scope and Content Note
blue, red #2 pencil on white bond, 8 11

Box 1, Folder 2

A.32: Two axonometrics of cubes with lines and one partial axonometric of cube,
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
pencil, red pencil, black, blue, red ink on white bond, 8 14
Notations: VI, 2/17

Box 1, Folder 2

A.33: Four axonometric cubes with colored cuts, n.d.

Scope and Content Note
black, blue, red ink on white bond, 8 14

Finding aid for the Peter

Eisenman architectural drawings
for House VI, 1972 ...

920049

SeriesI.Design development drawings for House VI, 1972

Box 1, Folder 2

A.34: Axonometric cube with red and blue cuts, n.d.

Scope and Content Note
red, blue, black ink on white bond, 8 14
Notations: VI, 2/18

Box 1, Folder 2

A.35: Three axonometric cubes with colored cuts and one plan, n.d.
Scope and Content Note
pencil, black, blue, red, and green ink on white bond, 8 14
Notations: 3C - 3D, enuff inside

Box 1, Folder 3
Box 1, Folder 3

B.1-B.27
B.1: Axonometric: corner, 28 Dec 1972
Scope and Content Note
black marker on white trace, 12 20
Notations: 14, SU, 28 Dec 72

Box 1, Folder 3

B.2: Axonometric: corner with shading, 28 Dec 1972

Scope and Content Note
black marker on white trace, 12 20
Notations: SU, House VI, 17, HOC, 28 Dec 72

Box 1, Folder 3

B.3: Axonometric: corner with shading, 28 Dec 1972

Scope and Content Note
black marker on white trace, 12 20
Notations: SU, House VI, 16, HOC, 28 Dec 72

Box 1, Folder 3

B.4: Axonometric: corner, 25 Dec 1972

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12 20
Notations: 25 Dec 72, 2, NW, House VI

Box 1, Folder 3

B.5: Partial Axonometric: corner, 30 Dec 1972

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12 20
Notations: House VI, NW, 30 Dec 72

Box 1, Folder 3

B.6: Axonometric: corner, 30 Dec 1972

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12 20
Notations: 30 Dec 72, NW, House VI

Box 1, Folder 3

B.7: Axonometric: corner with penciled numbers, 26 Dec 1972

Scope and Content Note
pencil and black on white trace, 12 20
Notations: 4, SW, 26 Dec 72, House VI

Box 1, Folder 3

B.8: Axonometric: corner with shading, 28 Dec 1972

Scope and Content Note
black marker on white trace, 12 20
Notations: 19, HOC, House VI, SW, 28 Dec 72

Finding aid for the Peter

Eisenman architectural drawings
for House VI, 1972 ...

920049

SeriesI.Design development drawings for House VI, 1972

Box 1, Folder 3

B.9: Axonometric: partial corner, 30 Dec 1972

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12 20
Notations: NE, House VI, 30 Dec 72

Box 1, Folder 3

B.10: Axonometric: corner, 26 Dec 1972

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12 20
Notations: 6m SW, House VI, 26 Dec 72

Box 1, Folder 3

B.11: Axonometric: corner, 26 Dec 1972

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12 20
Notations: 5, SW, House VI, 26 Dec 72

Box 1, Folder 3

B12: Axonometric: corner, 27 Dec 1972

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12 20 [torn corner]
Notations: 11, HOC, SW, House VI, 27 Dec 72

Box 1, Folder 3

B.13: Axonometric: corner with shading, 26 Dec 1972

Scope and Content Note
black ink. black and blue marker on white trace, 12 20
Notations: 7, SW, House VI, 26 Dec 72

Box 1, Folder 3

B.14: Axonometric: corner with shading, 27 Dec 1972

Scope and Content Note
black ink, black and blue marker on white trace, 12 20
Notations: 13, SW, House VI, 27 Dec 72

Box 1, Folder 3

B.15: Axonometric: corner, 22 Dec 1972

Scope and Content Note
black ink and marker on white trace, 12 20
Notations: 2, HOC, SW, House VI, 22 Dec 72

Box 1, Folder 3

B.16: Axonometric: corner with shading, 28 Dec [1972]

Scope and Content Note
black marker on white trace, 12 20
Notations: 15, HOC, 28 Dec

Box 1, Folder 3

B.17: Axonometric: partial wall / corner, 27 Dec 1972

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12 20
Notations: 10, SW, House VI, 27 Dec 72

Box 1, Folder 3

B.18: Axonometric: corner with shading, n.d.

Scope and Content Note
black marker on white trace, 12 20
Notation: 18

Finding aid for the Peter

Eisenman architectural drawings
for House VI, 1972 ...

920049

SeriesI.Design development drawings for House VI, 1972

Box 1, Folder 3

B.19: Axonometric: partial corner, 27 Dec 1972

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12 20
Notations: 12, SW, 27 Dec 72, House VI

Box 1, Folder 3

B.20: Axonometric: partial corner, n.d.

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12 20

Box 1, Folder 3

B.21: Axonometric: partial corner, n.d.

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12 20

Box 1, Folder 3

B.22: Axonometric: partial corner, n.d.

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12 20

Box 1, Folder 3

B.23: Axonometric: partial corner, n.d.

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12 20

Box 1, Folder 3

B.24: Axonometric: corner, n.d.

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12 20

Box 1, Folder 3

B.25: Axonometric: partial wall, n.d.

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12 20

Box 1, Folder 3

B.26: Axonometric: partial wall and corner, 23 Dec 1972

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12 20
Notations: NW, House VI, 23 Dec 72

Box 1, Folder 3

B.27: Axonometric: partial corner, 23 Dec 1972

Scope and Content Note
black ink on white trace, 12 20
Notations: 3, SW, House VI, 23 Dec 72

Finding aid for the Peter

Eisenman architectural drawings
for House VI, 1972 ...

920049