Abele Residence Details - C.D.W.

A technical architectural drawing detailing the interior elements and construction specifications for the Abele Residence, designed in the modernist style.

This architectural drawing provides a technical view into the construction of the Abele Residence in Framingham, Massachusetts. Produced between 1940 and 1941, the document captures the precision required for mid-century residential design. The sheet contains a series of elevations, sections, and plans, detailing specific interior elements such as dressing tables for the master and guest bedrooms, as well as a shelf for the entrance hall.

The technical nature of the work is evident in the inclusion of a door schedule and specific scale notations, such as the 1/2 inch and 3 inch to 1 foot ratios. The draftsmanship is clean and utilitarian, reflecting the functionalist principles prevalent in American architecture during this period. The collaboration between Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer, noted in the title block, places this residence within the context of the Bauhaus influence on American domestic architecture.

Visually, the print is defined by its stark, monochromatic lines against a neutral background. It functions as a record of the design process, where the focus remains on spatial organisation and material specification rather than aesthetic ornamentation. The layout is organised to provide clear instructions to contractors, with annotations detailing dimensions and construction methods. This piece offers an insight into the rigorous planning that defined the modernist approach to residential living, where every component, from the placement of a shelf to the configuration of a door, was considered for its utility and integration into the overall structure.