Mushroom House

Summary

The Mushroom House or Pod House is a contemporary residence in the town of Perinton, New York, which has been featured in television programs (notably HGTV's Offbeat America series)[2] and books (notably the Weird U.S. series)[3] due to its whimsical appearance. Patterned after umbels of Queen Anne's Lace, its brown color is more suggestive of mushrooms.[4] The house was constructed for attorney-artist couple Robert and Marguerite Antell between 1970 and 1972 and was designated a town landmark in 1989.[5]

Mushroom House
The House in 2010
Map
Alternative namesPod House
General information
TypeArchitecture school
Architectural styleContemporary
LocationPerinton, New York
Address142 Park Road
Pittsford, New York 14534
Coordinates43°2′52″N 77°28′28″W / 43.04778°N 77.47444°W / 43.04778; -77.47444
Elevation507 feet (155 m)
Construction started1970
Completed1972
Renovated2001
ClientRobert and Marguerite Antell[1]
OwnerWhitman family
Height30 feet (9.1 m)
Technical details
Structural systemconcrete and steel rods
Floor count2
Floor area4,168 square feet
Design and construction
Architect(s)James H. Johnson

The structure is sited in a moderately-wooded ravine adjacent to Powder Mills Park. The house itself comprises four 80 ton pods which rest on reinforced concrete stems of 14 to 20 feet in height. These fan out from three feet in diameter where they connect to the pods to five feet at the base.[6] The sides of each pod's "cap" are completely windowed. One pod serves as the living and dining area, one as the kitchen, and two as sleeping areas. An additional "half pod" provides an open deck area.[7] The house has three bedrooms and three bathrooms in 4,168 square feet.

In February 2012, the house sold for $799,900, after the original asking price of $1.1 million failed to attract a buyer.[8]

Another view of the house

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Gethard, Chris; Moran, Mark; Sceurman, Mark (2005), Weird New York: Your Travel Guide to New York's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets, Sterling Publishing, p. 132, ISBN 978-1-4027-3383-3, OCLC 62400085, retrieved 2010-10-04
  2. ^ Pod House and More (Television program), Offbeat America (HOBA-204H ed.), HGTV, retrieved 2010-10-04
  3. ^ "The Mushroom House of Powder Mill Park". Weird U.S. Bloomfield, New Jersey: Weird US. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
  4. ^ The Mushroom House That Isn't (Television program), Great Homes of Rochester, Rochester, New York: WXXI-TV, retrieved 2010-10-04 {{citation}}: External link in |series= (help)
  5. ^ Keplinger, J (2008-02-19). "142 Park Road" (PDF). Perinton Designated Landmarks and Districts. Perinton, New York: Perinton Town Historian. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
  6. ^ Malo, Paul (1974), Landmarks of Rochester and Monroe County: A Guide to Neighborhoods and Villages, Syracuse, New York: Syracuse University Press, p. 188, ISBN 978-0-8156-0103-6, OCLC 800694
  7. ^ Perman, Cindy (2008), New York Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff, Guilford, Connecticut: Globe Pequot Press, p. 38, ISBN 978-0-7627-4339-1, OCLC 176926450
  8. ^ Chao, Mary (February 16, 2012). "Mushroom House sells for $799,900". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. Gannett Company. Archived from the original on February 19, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2012.

External links edit

  • Architect's photos
  • RocWiki article
  • More Photos