I’ve been ruminating over built-in furniture again. Yes, it is true that Victoria had limited funds and that she requested the architect to make her as much built-in furniture as possible, but this also enabled the architect to retain control over the space.
Keeping the furniture simple by using plywood or a mix of plywood and wood that he stained in his favored transparent grayish hue, Schindler asserted the look, and keeping it low, in adherence to his own appropriation principle, he created unity and enabled it to join the uninterrupted flow of motion that exists in this house without having it interfere with the prominent sense of the space. Using contrasting physical levels to separate spaces for day and night activities enabled the architect to promote distinct directions on how we are to feel when we are within them, and my feeling is that in making the furniture, rather than letting the dweller pick it, Schindler helps guide us in how to best utilize the space.
This notion of directing us how to live becomes even clearer when looking at the functional storage solutions. Also made of plywood, and mostly stained in the same color as the furniture, these are understated, plentiful, and feature “undercut groves” rather than pulling hardware, making them organic. I get the distinct idea that his intention was to avoid clutter, help us feel the invigorating movement, and moreover, direct us how to live fully within the space he created.
