Houzz Tours
Modern Architecture
My Houzz: Industrial-Edged Comfort in Pittsburgh
Copper, cantilevers and a cat named Mr. Martin come together in this contemporary homage to regional style
Returning to his native Pittsburgh after 25 years, architect Eric Fisher ended up buying a property right next door to his childhood home in the city’s Shadyside neighborhood.
Acting as his own contractor, he spent the next two years building a house on the site, tapping the services of local companies and even architecture students at nearby Carnegie Mellon. The resulting structure, which Fisher describes as “neo-1950s L.A. modern meets Western Pennsylvania industrial,” features a distinct geometric design incorporating a steel-braced cantilever and a green roof garden.
Fisher says he finds inspiration in modern architects like Steven Ehrlich, Franklin D. Israel and Lawrence Scarpa. “Over the years I have been able to develop a gritty, industrial-influenced, landscaped, sustainable architecture that speaks of Pittsburgh,” he says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Eric Fisher and his cat, Mr. Martin
Location: Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh
Size: 2,500 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a bottom-floor rental apartment
Year built: 2008
Cost: $160 per square foot
Acting as his own contractor, he spent the next two years building a house on the site, tapping the services of local companies and even architecture students at nearby Carnegie Mellon. The resulting structure, which Fisher describes as “neo-1950s L.A. modern meets Western Pennsylvania industrial,” features a distinct geometric design incorporating a steel-braced cantilever and a green roof garden.
Fisher says he finds inspiration in modern architects like Steven Ehrlich, Franklin D. Israel and Lawrence Scarpa. “Over the years I have been able to develop a gritty, industrial-influenced, landscaped, sustainable architecture that speaks of Pittsburgh,” he says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Eric Fisher and his cat, Mr. Martin
Location: Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh
Size: 2,500 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a bottom-floor rental apartment
Year built: 2008
Cost: $160 per square foot
The home's primary entry is located at the end of the driveway, next to a porte cochere formed by the cantilevered living room. A built-in planter is visible under the large open window. "I don't believe architecture is about the way buildings look," Fisher says. "I design buildings that evoke emotion."
The other exterior material Fisher used is blue Trespa, in panels, seen on the far right. "I chose the color to enhance the adjacent verdigris copper color, contrast with the bamboo and the holly, and to bring to mind images of the ocean," the architect says.
The other exterior material Fisher used is blue Trespa, in panels, seen on the far right. "I chose the color to enhance the adjacent verdigris copper color, contrast with the bamboo and the holly, and to bring to mind images of the ocean," the architect says.
Natural light pours into the entryway, spotlighting a gallery wall devoted to Fisher's architectural models.
Nelson Platform Bench: Design Within Reach
Nelson Platform Bench: Design Within Reach
Fisher's 13½-year-old cat, Mr. Martin, relaxes between design books on a custom-built shelf.
The first level features bamboo flooring, while the ground-level entry is paved with concrete. Fisher's uncle painted the artwork in the stairwell back in the 1950s.
Fisher made his own graphite-colored concrete counters to stay within budget. The back-painted glass backsplash has a wonderfully soft, reflective feel at night.
Fisher kept the main living space open and airy. "In the past it was necessary to separate rooms from one another. For one thing, heating an entire building was difficult," Fisher says. "Today a fluid, open arrangement of rooms suits the way we work, because we need visual control over spaces that can be used for many different purposes."
Sectional: Charles, B&B Italia; dining chairs: Wishbone Chair by Hans Wegner, Design Within Reach
Sectional: Charles, B&B Italia; dining chairs: Wishbone Chair by Hans Wegner, Design Within Reach
French doors behind the fireplace connect the dining area to the rear porch.
A collection of blown-glass sculptures by Kathleen Mulcahy, executive director at the Pittsburgh Glass Center, decorates the modern wood-burning fireplace. Fisher centered the fireplace in the living room and says, “It’s nice to see the outdoors beyond the flames — sort of like an outdoor campfire.”
A collection of blown-glass sculptures by Kathleen Mulcahy, executive director at the Pittsburgh Glass Center, decorates the modern wood-burning fireplace. Fisher centered the fireplace in the living room and says, “It’s nice to see the outdoors beyond the flames — sort of like an outdoor campfire.”
At the other end of the living room is this open space (seen in the exterior cantilever image). During the week Fisher sometimes sets up tables in this area for his architecture interns and others who work for him. Open spaces can be used in many different ways. "It's interesting how meaning is determined by context," he says.
The hanging sculpture is by Dee Briggs, and the chaise is by Poul Kjærholm.
Shelves: custom built-ins, John Wylie Custom Furniture
The hanging sculpture is by Dee Briggs, and the chaise is by Poul Kjærholm.
Shelves: custom built-ins, John Wylie Custom Furniture
This multipurpose space serves as both a den and a home office. A chain mail curtain from Cascade Coil Drapery acts as a divider between the common area and this private space.
During solo evenings at home, Fisher loves to stretch out in this private retreat. Marcel Breuer's Wassily Chair provides a place for reading or contemplating the view.
This full bathroom is adjacent to the den/home office on the first floor; it features granite countertops and a 3form panel shade.
An exposed steel staircase leading to the master suite was fabricated by Red Star Ironworks in Pittsburgh, continuing the use of industrial forms indoors. All of the interior spaces are open to one another, creating what Fisher calls a stack effect that passively cools them in summer.
Fisher installed budget-friendly Ikea cabinets in the master bedroom and treated the walls with a Venetian plaster finish. He worked with John Wylie Custom Furniture to add trim to the Ikea cabinets, so they appear more integrated. A pair of skylights illuminates the bed.
From the bed you can look across the stairwell toward the master bathroom, with its Ikea cabinets and shower lined with yellow onyx tile. The custom-trimmed Ikea cabinet next to the stair hides a washer and dryer.
This polycarbonate wall in the master suite allows light in while also providing privacy. An Eames lounge chair and ottoman, and a wooden chair designed by Fisher, provide a place where he can relax and enjoy his green roof (next photo).
This view looks across the green roof in its dormant state toward the home where Fisher grew up. Six varieties of sedum (succulents), alium (chives) and talinum are planted here.
Fisher considers the green roof (shown here in spring) one of the most interesting aspects of his home. "It gives green space back to the city," he says. "I love working on the green roof. It is great watching the little plants grow and thrive."
He says the master bedroom reminds him of an industrial shed from this perspective.
He says the master bedroom reminds him of an industrial shed from this perspective.
Fisher, shown here, says his proudest homeowner moments are being able to entertain in his home. His lower-level tenants even hosted their wedding rehearsal dinner in his living room.
"Design is easy, but getting stuff built is tough," he says. He plans to install a deck in the future and do some additional backyard landscaping. And, he adds, "I could use a bit more furniture."
Show us your home
Browse more homes by style:
Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Eclectic Homes | Modern Homes | Contemporary Homes | Midcentury Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Barn Homes | Townhouses | Apartments | Lofts | Vacation Homes
More: Modern Materials: Copper, Architecture's Natural Beauty
"Design is easy, but getting stuff built is tough," he says. He plans to install a deck in the future and do some additional backyard landscaping. And, he adds, "I could use a bit more furniture."
Show us your home
Browse more homes by style:
Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Eclectic Homes | Modern Homes | Contemporary Homes | Midcentury Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Barn Homes | Townhouses | Apartments | Lofts | Vacation Homes
More: Modern Materials: Copper, Architecture's Natural Beauty
The architect says the copper exterior was one element he went with because it was "beautiful rather than cost efficient." The material is a prepatinated siding from Revere Copper, purchased through local company Likar Roofing. "Neither I nor my neighbors would have wanted to wait while normal copper siding aged from its initial penny color over a 20-year period to its final green state," he says.
The other material Fisher considered was anodized aluminum, yet he paid the additional $40,000 to go with copper. Roofer Bob Likar helped install the sheets in a flat-lock-seam pattern, and the final look blends well with the surrounding landscape.