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My Houzz: Modern and Chic in New Orleans

Designed by the Superdome architects, this 1940s home now mixes original features with contemporary updates

Adam Breaux December 18, 2013

Contributing home tour photographer and writer for Houzz. I am currently practicing architecture in Miami, Florida.

Contributing home tour photographer and writer for Houzz. I am currently practicing... More

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Dan and Serena Morin moved from New York to New Orleans five years ago with the hope of enjoying the warm climate and continuing their urban lifestyle. Dan, a cardiologist, and Serena, an elementary school teacher, are both fans of modern design; they bought an updated 1940s house originally designed by Curtis and Davis, the architects behind the Superdome. An open layout and large picture windows highlight views of the expansive backyard and nearby Tulane University, while original features like open stair treads and brick flooring show the home’s timeless design.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Dan and Serena Morin and their son, Blu
Location: Uptown neighborhood of New Orleans
Size: 3,800 square feet; 5 bedrooms, 4½ bathrooms
Original architects: Nathaniel C. Curtis, Jr., and Arthur Q. Davis
Year built: 1948

Adam Breaux

As seen in this backyard view, the reinforced concrete and brick structure is supported by steel columns that allow for spacious rooms with huge windows. The first floor still boasts the original floor-to-ceiling windows.

Much of the concrete work in the backyard was added by the previous owner, including the circular stools made of cast-in-place concrete. The pool itself is an original feature but has been updated with brick trim and a concrete deck.

Adam Breaux

The house was originally designed for Walter B. Moses, a mechanical engineer who often worked with Curtis and Davis. A few years after this house was built, he consulted with the firm on their design for the New Orleans Public Library.

This page from Davis’ It Happened by Design shows the original front facade. The couple keeps a copy of the book in their entry hall.

Considering the home was built in New Orleans in 1948, its design and form are very contemporary. The home uses geometric shapes, has a flat roof and is absent of unnecessary ornamentation — the materials provide the aesthetic. The architects used horizontal ribbon windows for light and brise-soleils for sun shading on both the front and back of the house. The floor plan anticipates a modern lifestyle with its garage integrated into the body of the house and fronted by a roll-up door.

Adam Breaux

Since the 1940s, some changes have been made to the house. The glass on the ribbon windows has been updated, and glass block has replaced the panes of glass illuminating the staircase. In addition, the brick was painted, and stucco replaced the tile under the left-hand overhang. The couple believes these changes took place in the 1970s or ’80s.

When Dan and Serena moved in, they added a white elastomeric coating on the roof, which helps to reflect UV rays and keep the house cooler.

Adam Breaux

This foyer and the pool room remain most true to the home’s original plans. Curtis and Davis made the stair treads from terrazzo to keep them as thin and minimalist as possible.

Adam Breaux

The Morins display Davis’ book in this entryway table and leave it open to the page highlighting the history of their home. Above the table is a framed original blueprint of the house; the garage and large first-floor living space are easy to distinguish.

Table: Hurwitz Mintz

Adam Breaux

The floor and curtain wall of windows are original to the house. In keeping with modernist principles, they’re expressed as being independent of the building’s structure.

UFO Red Round Lounge Sofa: Cellini, Scandinavia Furniture; rug, 3 Piece Nesting Cocktail Table: Hurwitz Mintz; black armchairs: Overstock.com

Adam Breaux

The windows are turned at an angle to draw focus toward the pool. This multifunctional space is used as a pool room and movie room, and serves as a guest living room for visitors such as Serena’s parents, who visit every couple of months.

Adam Breaux

About half of the open plan upstairs is devoted to a common area, which combines the kitchen, dining room and living room.

Just before the Morins moved in, a renovation by the previous owner had expanded the kitchen area, adding more contemporary lights and cabinetry. The countertops are Absolute Black granite.

The large glass curtain wall provides a great left-field view of Tulane University’s baseball stadium. This view was important to Dan and Serena, and the backyard landscaping was planned accordingly.

Adam Breaux

The larger kitchen leaves a defined space for the dining table. The new sliding ribbon windows were likely part of the ’70s or ’80s renovation. Dan and Serena added the cordless cellular shades for sun protection.

Dining table: Scandinavia Furniture

Adam Breaux

The master bedroom is open and minimalist, with attention directed toward the large picture window overlooking the backyard. The Morins are greeted each morning with eastern sunlight.

The brick chimney from the first floor runs up and appears in the bathroom.

Bed, dresser: ModaBode

Adam Breaux

Son Blu’s bedroom is right next to the couple’s room. It features a nook that they use for a floating changing station.

Crib: Stanley Furniture; chair: Poäng, Ikea

Adam Breaux

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defilade

Beautiful home! You've done a wonderful job preserving and updating it. Have you considered taking out the palm tree in front of the house on the left side? It's obscuring one of the house's coolest features!

Like December 24, 2013 at 7:34PM