A building which retains its architectural integrity is one which has been maintained as it was built and intended to be. When buildings are altered through remodeling or the installation of “maintenance -free” windows or siding, integrity is compromised. Such compromise is increasingly commonplace. On rare occasions, both wood and masonry buildings can be altered and still maintain their original feel. Physical integrity is still compromised, but perceptually the change is minimal. However, this is the exception and not the rule.
But what about pre-fabricated metal houses? The fabled Lustron house, which was available in three models (the Westchester, Newport and Meadowbrook), is much less resilient to change. Not just less resilient, but downright hostile to change. And why not? The very idea of the house was that it was perfect from the start and would not ever require change – not even paint! A house designed with a specified plan utilizing a specified number of specific manufactured parts (not to mention baked-on finishes) was never meant to be fluid and adaptable; by its very nature it was resistant to change. So, it should come as no surprise that when Lustrons are altered the only result can be the loss of architectural integrity and the loss of their iconic character.
The first two houses shown below are intact examples of the Westchester – those following them illustrate why architectural integrity is important!
An intact Westchester in blue… with original windows (the awning is a later addition).
An intact Westchester in yellow… with original windows.
A compromised Westchester painted in camo colors with white vinyl replacement windows.
The addition of a permanent concrete ramp and flimsy black railing was not character-enhancing.
Sigh. Wouldn’t room-darkening shades have been a better option for the back bedroom? Peeling paint shows the futility of putting paint on porcelainized steel panels which are subjected to weather.
Here are some more Lustron makeovers which I found online:
Covered in stone (and a bit of vinyl siding below the replacement windows)! From https://flimsypi.blogspot.com/2013/08/lustron-homes-westchester-model-two.html
The Westchester in black with enclosed porch and replacement windows. From http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM3FY5_4900_Cedar_Ave_S_Minneapolis_MN
Even though the orange is not an original Lustron color, I kind of like it. The replacement windows are surprisingly sympathetic to the originals, though lacking horizontal muntins on the sides). Also note that the angular porch support has been replaced with a sedate post. This updated Lustron does a better job at maintaining the original intent than the other examples shown here – in spite of the vibrant orange paint. From https://www.pinterest.com/pin/146578162845121383/
Vinyl siding and plastic shutters over truly maintenance-free porcelainized steel panels?! Note how the siding is actually notched around the shutters! Double-hung windows will never look good on a Lustron. From http://historyculturebybicycle.blogspot.com/2011/10/lustron-homes.html
Yes, these are strong examples of how detrimental unsympathetic alterations can be.
There are several Lustron houses in our side of the city here in Aurora. I haven’t looked at them closely, but they appear to be largely intact. I will have to take a closer look and compare to your good examples. They are neat houses.
According to Wikipedia, Aurora has seven! As well as other nice bits of architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Bruce Goff, George Grant Elmslie and a large collection of Sears kit houses – over 50! Very enviable!
I like that orange Lustron–looks very futuristic. There’s a Lustron in disguise by my house. I didn’t realize it was a Lustron until I saw it on the official list.
https://tinyurl.com/y8ucqfsg
Another excellent example of an effort to normalize a Lustron! Given all the other changes, I’m amazed that this altered Westchester still has its original windows. The “shutters” give added depth to the word superfluous… thanks!
There are 16 Lustrons in the small town of Mt. Morris, Illinois (population 2,826). Sadly, several have been “improved” but there are still several almost completely original.
Wow, that is a lot for such a small town! I wonder about the story behind that? Are they in a single housing development, or did they have a very good local salesman?
Seth’s right — that is a lot for such a small town! According to the Wikipedia page for Mt. Morris, “The town is also home of a very large group of lustron homes in IL. These can be located on First street(5 houses),Hannah avenue(3 houses), and Sunset lane(5 houses). The town has a total of 18 lustrons.[5] The houses were built here to meet a shortage of housing for a local printing company.”
Great Bend, Kansas, is another town with a surprising number of Lustrons… due to the fact that a local implement dealer was also a distributor for Lustron. Though many of Great Bend’s Lustrons have lost their architectural integrity through later alterations, the Barton County Historical Society maintains an intact (but relocated) Lustron house as one of its exhibits!
There are actually 16 Lustrons in Mt. Morris. Many are clustered around the west end of town while mine and two others are several blocks away. The Kable Brothers, owners of a large printing company in town, ordered most of them. They attracted skilled workers from around the country with a job and a Lustron home. But there was a catch! While filling positions in the company, they sough out people who could play a musical instrument. Employees then became members of the Kable Band. While the company is long gone, the Kable Band is still going strong and performs every Wednesday evening throughout the Summer in the downtown band shell.
I own a totally original “Westchester Deluxe” 3br which is on the National Register. ALL original, including original windows, doors, furnace and floors. It will remain as,such!
You are indeed fortunate to have such a rare survivor! And your house is even luckier to have such a rare owner! I hope that you will take whatever legal steps possible to insure that the house will remain intact far, far, into the future. Thanks for being a purist regarding the preservation of your house; it’s an increasingly rare perspective.
My Lustron in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio is about 95% original. It’s an early model Surf Blue with the 2 small, high windows in each bedroom, though the large windows have been replaced with a more energy efficient sliding option. I’m hoping to keep the original features wherever I can. Love my Lustron! ♥