George Nemeny was one of the pioneers of modern architecture, won dozens of architectural awards, and was selected three times by the American Institute of Architects as one of the country's top 10 leading architects during the late '50s and early '60s.
The Favata House in Westchester County most assuredly helped him attain recognition. When Nemeney designed it in 1960, this international-modern style house won an AIA Merit Award. Now, this piece of architectural history in Dobbs Ferry, NY, is on the market for $1,695,000.
The 4,250-square-foot, two-story home has floor-to-ceiling windows and an adjustable, open layout. Instead of rooms being sectioned off by walls, sliding walls allow the alteration of the main area. The centerpiece of the main living area is a stone fireplace that extends from the oak wood flooring to the upstairs gallery and the peaked ceiling.
In 1960, the AIA jury noted that the house was a "disarmingly direct solution … displaying great restraint, with no frills or tricks," according to the listing.
"It's not an elegant house, but it's a stunning house. It's not overconstructed," explains listing agent Amy Via. "The basic design of it, although quite beautiful, is simple."
The new paint in the main area is a shade of orange by "architectural color" creator Donald Kaufman. In conjunction with the natural light shining through the western-facing glass wall, the paint -- a mixture of dozens of tints and shades of oranges and reds -- "always has a richness in it. It's never flat," Via says.
The kitchen, accessible from the living room, is a country eat-in and renovated to be a functional place where foodies can cook up serious eats.
"For true cooking, it's fantastic," Via says. She would know: A friend of the sellers, she's enjoyed some five-star dinners in the house.
Via says the sellers bought the house about 14 years ago. They renovated it without altering the original structure.
However, there was one addition to the property: a detached studio built in the late '60s. It maintains the modern design aesthetic thanks to its large, circular steel pillars, skylights, and a rooftop that doubles as a terrace.
"It's an understated house in many ways. Even the sliding doors [are] simple and unique," says Via.
As for buyers, "it's early to say, but it's probably someone coming from [New York] City," she adds. "It might not be right for every buyer, but there are those whom it will really resonate with, and that's who we are looking for."