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Mid Century Modern Home Plans

second homes for leisure living

Vacation home designed by Bay Area architect Henrik Bull - illustration by Bob Wandesforde

The image above is from a promotional booklet entitled Second homes for leisure living. The booklet was produced by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association and features floor plans and dimensions for 18 vacation homes built with fir plywood. Included are plans for homes designed by modern architects such as George Matsumoto, Frederick Liebhardt, David George and Henrik Bull.

The illustrations are by Bob Wandesforde (b.1920 - d.1990). Bob was a freelance designer and Charter Member of the Seattle Art Directors Society.

second homes for leisure living

second homes for leisure living

second homes for leisure living

Two Stage Expandable vacationer designed by Walter Widmeyer

second homes for leisure living

Double Deck A Frame Cabin designed by David T Hellyer, Tacoma Washington

second homes for leisure living

Ranger A Frame Cabin designed by Nagle and Associates

second homes for leisure living

Three Stage Beach Cabin (no architect listed)

second homes for leisure living

Summer Teahouse design by Laurence S Higgins

second homes for leisure living

interior of Summer Teahouse design by Laurence S Higgins

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Also worth checking: Saul Bass Case Study House #20

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05.25.09 in Off our book shelves by Dave

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would these have been built to? like to see pics of one of these nowadays.
especially that last one.

Mondrianic living, could well be the future…

This might be my favorite post here so far.

How delightful!

david… shoot each page and make a pdf for me… i am totally making one of these houses some day. you can come over and have some coffee when is done… promise.

Hi Bj,
I believe al of these homes have been built. I upoladed an image of the A frame cabin designed and built by Dr. David Hellyer. http://www.flickr.com/photos/grainspace/3563678123/

I couldn’t find any images of the tea house designed by Laurence S Higgins.

Clint,
I don’t drink coffee, can I still come over?

Thanks Dave!

I assume there aren’t any left, can’t imagine these surviving 50 years of all weather-conditions..

Gorgeous illustrations! And I love the idea of ‘Leisure Living’.

Thanks so much for posting! These are great!

what a dreamy vacation home!

What a wonderful surprise from Notcot today…I happen to have a mid-century modern house listed in Louisiana for sale, and I’m in love with the style

A pdf file of the entire book would be great.

Would love to see the entire book, third the idea of pdfing the whole thing…

If I get time, I’ll try to put something together.

I LOVE the brochure! What a great find. I just finished designing a poster with for tikibar tv with my favourite Clarendon typeface and those crazy retro colours! I totally dig the A frame with double deck. :)

Why doesnt someone today publish these floor plans or create something similar? Not everyone in America makes lots of money and can afford a typical second/vacation home. I would think today one could possible put together something along the lines of this for far less than the ones developers are creating. Small, functional and inexpensive.

I LOVE THE FIRST HOME ILLUSTRATION…WHAT A WAY TO VACATION IN MIDCENTURY STYLE!

How can I find a copy of the Second Homes for Leisure Living booklet? Thanks….I would love to build one someday!

07.20.09 |

Diane Short |

Off our book shelves |

Hi Diane,
your best bet is Ebay.

I designed the cabin shown at the top of the page about 50 years ago. The clients said they had already written the advertising copy, “You can build this cabin yourself for the cost of a second car.” When I protested, I was told, “do the best you can”. They built the cabin, claiming that the cost for materials was $3200 ($40,000 in todays dollars). It could not be built today because building codes would not permit the uninsulated walls and roof. It was never intended to be heated, more like a semi permanent tent. It used a small fraction of the natural resources of a modern code complying “Leisure Home”. Today only very rich people can afford a vacation home.

08.04.09 |

Henrik Bull, FAIA |

Off our book shelves |

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