Featured Homes
Element of Surprise
A mid-century modern home designed by William Adair Bernoudy harmonizes in balance with its natural setting.
BY
Beth Campbell
PHOTOGRAPHY
Michael Jacob


The living room is lit with the advantage of an expansive use of glass walls and uplighting, and clerestory windows. The spaces transport one with their contemplative  mood and subtle use of art.


A newly redesigned kitchen is an example of function and beauty in harmony and is in keeping with the open, naturally lit planning that identified the modern design philosophy of mid-century organic architecture. 


The master bedroom wakes to spectacular sights and sounds of the surrounding nature and cascading waterfall. A clean, sleek, neutral palette wraps the space in serenity.


The master bath is a breath of fresh air with an ethereal feeling. The use of travertine stone exudes tranquility with its unexpected soft presence and its organic, pitted,  natural texture.


The home’s patio deck space was redesigned using William Bernoudy’s original footprint, allowing the outdoor architectural and landscape design to act as a natural backdrop to the modern, organic interior architecture. A collaboration of ideas resulted in a spectacular cascading waterfall and lily pond. The tranquil setting extends the home’s living area into the natural terrain via a uniquely designed cantilevered patio deck over the lily pond.

For the owners of a suburban home built by distinguished local architect William Adair Bernoudy, the path to the home’s successful renovation brought to life the delightful architectural surprises that Bernoudy liked to include in his design. Though his name may not be as widely recognized as that of his mentor, Frank Lloyd Wright, under whom he trained as one of the charter apprentices in the Taliesin Fellowship, Bernoudy’s legacy includes many familiar commercial and residential structures throughout the metropolitan area, and Wright’s influence is keenly felt in his approach to design.

Clearly inspired by nature, both Bernoudy and Wright practiced what is known as modern organic architecture, the main principles of which include thoughtful and inspired use of natural materials; site selection that honors and harmonizes with the landscape; and design elements that blur the distinction between the outdoors and interior spaces. Another feature of organic architecture is the element of surprise, and this quietly stunning west St. Louis county home is a perfect example of the pleasures of the unexpected.

When the unique home went on the market a few years ago, neighbors and aficionados of architecture alike were greatly concerned. The home’s unassuming exterior, with its low profile and modest size, might be mistaken for an ordinary structure better suited for tear-down than preservation. But the new homeowners had long admired Bernoudy’s work and had no intention of tearing down the house, or even disturbing its original footprint. Instead, they conspired to preserve the home’s mid-century modern design, leaving the splendid architecture intact and updating only where necessary to comfortably accommodate a more contemporary lifestyle. Though the homeowners had remodeled numerous houses previously, both laugh at the surprising recollection that, “the renovation costs ended up exceeding the purchase price of the home!” Apparently, “less is more” can be interpreted in more ways than one.

Interior designer Gigi Lombrano-Steadman, ASID, of Frank Patton Interiors, who worked with the owners to realize their vision, describes the preservation process as “un-designing” the house. “We removed things that didn’t fit or enhance, like a mural and a mirrored wall that were not original to the home,” Gigi says. “We really listened to the house, and as we removed layers that did not belong, it was as if you could hear an audible sigh – the house seemed relieved to be returned to its original state,” she explains. “The current design is meant to look like there isn’t a planned design at all, so that nothing detracts from the architecture.”

Thus, interiors are serenely sophisticated, and furnished minimally with comfortable modern pieces. Unique architectural details quietly reveal themselves at every turn. Original woodwork, meticulously cleaned and polished, glows warmly against exposed brick, framing bits of trees and sky in unexpected places. Impressive floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room overlook a spectacular new waterfall – a reminder that nature rules in this design scheme.  In supporting roles, fine art and sculpture from around the world are beautifully displayed with a restrained touch, yet even here there is room for surprise. “We make a point of bringing back a special piece of art or furniture to remind us of our travels,” the homeowners explain. “Fred is a perfect example…he’s been with us for years!” they say jokingly, when a full-sized turtle sculpture comes startlingly into view, its head peeking out from beneath the Italian sofa.

The home is pleasingly intimate yet more spacious than its exterior reveals. Because the owners were committed to preserving Bernoudy’s original design, only two major structural changes were made during the renovation. The carport was enclosed for practicality, and the basement stairway was moved.  “Bernoudy loved socializing and his designs reflect that,” say the homeowners. “His floor plans were typically open on the main level of a home, and we felt that moving the stairway helped extend this open flow into the kitchen.” Other kitchen updates include stunning new cabinetry, granite countertops and the addition of a skylight to increase natural illumination.  In the adjacent dining room, more expansive windows encourage a commune with nature, in a setting with the feel of dining alfresco.

However, nowhere in the house is nature more keenly felt or observed than in the step-down master suite, which might inspire some to never leave the house. Imagine waking to the sight and sound of a waterfall, separated only by a wall of windows. The travertine-cloaked master bath features yet more windows, this time with a forest-like view. Asian-inspired closets with shoji-screen doors keep clothing and clutter contained, further contributing to the serene vibe of the house. This sanctuary is the perfect place to ponder perhaps the most surprising aspect of the home.  Bernoudy’s design feels as modern today as it must have nearly 50 years ago, as if he somehow anticipated that now, more than ever, we would seek community with nature and appreciate the tenets of modern organic architecture.

Biographical Note:
William Bernoudy was one of the first group of apprentices to Frank Lloyd Wright, beginning in 1932. He trained at the famed Taliesin for three years before eventually returning to St. Louis and partnering with fellow architect Edouard Mutrux in 1938. Throughout his impressive 50-year career, he designed more than 100 structures, most of which bore at least some unmistakable Wright-influenced details. Bernoudy’s work was not completely derivative, however, and had considerable merit on its own. His wife, Gertrude, was a prominent art collector, and together they were immersed in the cultural life of St. Louis throughout much of the last century.

Among Bernoudy’s many designs, several are widely familiar to St. Louisans:
    •    Temple Emanuel New Synagogue and Educational Wing
    •    Washington University’s Beaumont Music Pavilion
    •    Keiner Memorial Entrance, St. Louis Zoo
    •    Seven Up Company (Clayton)
    •    United Missouri Bank of Ferguson

For more information on Bernoudy’s life and work, see William Adair Bernoudy, Architect: Bringing the Legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright to St. Louis, by noted architectural historian Osmund Overby (University of Missouri Press).