April 3, 2008 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

Kahn House to be sold at auction
by Lisa Kniezewski

The Esherick House, a home on Sunrise Lane in Chestnut Hill designed by the noted Philadelphia architect Louis Kahn, will be offered at auction Sunday, May 18, by the Wright auction house.

Built with a combination of wood, concrete and large glass panels, the home is distinguished for its geometric forms, cubic layout and abundant natural lighting.

“We are thrilled to be to be offering Kahn’s Esherick House, which is truly a jewel,“ said Richard Wright, founder of the Wright firm. “The monolithic exterior in combination with the warm, thoughtful interior speaks to Kahn’s ability to create monumental structures with a humanistic approach.

“As Kahn clearly intended, the character and style of this house belongs to no era — the house is truly timeless.“

Esherick House was commissioned by and named after Margaret Esherick, niece of famed Philadelphia sculptor and woodworker Wharton Esherick. Kahn and Wharton Esherick were good friends and Esherick built the custom kitchen, which is still intact.

The house is situated on slightly more than half an acre, with a large backyard on the edge of Pastorius Park. A floor plan of two symmetrical, side-by-side rectangles and floor to ceiling windows allow for a feeling of openness.

Natural Apitong wood and beige concrete warm the interior. The living room boasts near ceiling height bookshelves, which will surely impress all book lovers.

Another important element of the house is the distinctive “service“ and “served“ spaces. Kahn valued a smooth transition from room to room, while still clearly marking areas as either service (spaces that serve other spaces, such as a hallway, staircase or a boiler) or served (a public area, such as the living room or dining room). 

Former owners Dr. Robert and Lynn Gallagher purchased Esherick House in 1981. The house was in relatively poor condition when they bought it, but after the restoration process, from July 1981 to March 1982, they returned it to its original state as much as possible. 

Veronica Aplenc, executive director of the Chestnut Hill Historical Society who toured the Esherick house, said she was amazed by Kahn’s architectural abilities, noting that the house was more a piece of art than just a living space.

 “Louis Khan is one of the most important architects of the 20th century, and we are extremely fortunate to have an example of his work in Chestnut Hill,“ Aplenc said. “The Esherick House is beautifully preserved, thanks to the work of the recent owners, Robert and Lynn Gallagher.“