Since we established our local historical commission in 1989, preservation, protection and the recognition of existing structures of historical or intrinsic value has been pursued. Three of these houses have gained notoriety. The properties are all less than 50 years but all have significant relevance to architectural history, but are relatively unknown: 
The Sweeton House (Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian Movement), the Well‘s Office Building and Residence (Malcom Wells) and the topic of this waymark, the Fred Clever House (Louis Kahn). These architects hold an important place in architectural history and of all the structures the Clever House became eligible for the National Register in 2007 and hopefully, it will make it some day, thus, assuring us of its survival.
Upon my visit to this property, I noticed two things: first, no way in heck anyone can see this house from the street and second, the grounds are unkempt and jungle-like; one might very scour the immediate grounds for some rare leaf or berry to cure cancer, which is bound to grow in the rain forest landscaping. What a shame the home owners don't give a crud. The rest of the neighborhood is beautiful and well manicured. This property is a hot mess!
The Fred E. and Elaine Cox Clever House at 417 Sherry Way, Cherry Hill, New Jersey was commissioned by these homeowners in 1967 for Kahn to design after they saw his influential Trenton Bath House completed in 1962. This Cherry Hill home is only one of nine built houses designed by Kahn (who designed many others which did not come to fruition), who is best known for designing institutional buildings. To see all of the other houses that were built, please go HERE. Others worked to make the house on Sherry Way a physical reality: The structural engineers for this house were possibly Cronheim & Weger, partners in a Philadelphia architectural firm until 1966. Another PA firm out of Willow Grove, PA, a rel="nofollow" href=
"http://aiaphiladelphia.org/affiliate/vinokur-pace-engineering-services-inc" target="_blank">Vinokur-Pace Engineers, was the mechanical/electrical engineers for this project. The project began on July 12, 1957. The earliest dated drawing in Kahn's collection was February 18, 1959. The last dated drawing for this house in his collection was for February 1, 1962. The house was finished on May 8, 1962. I cannot resolve the differences in the creation and the request for this house. One would think the request would come before the creation but it seems he dreamed it first then someone asked him for it. Weird.
About the House
In the center of the house is a spacious living room, around which are grouped five smaller rooms, each with its own pyramidal roof. The living room itself is capped by a complex roof composed of four large angular structures that look something like four oversize gables that meet in the center. The two flat surfaces that form the sides of each gable-like structure extend far downwards diagonally to meet the corresponding surfaces from the two adjacent structures. The four meeting points of all of these structures rest on four L-shaped concrete block formations positioned at the edges of the living room. They are about the height of standard rooms and have the appearance of small rooms protruding into the high-ceilinged living room. Their reverse sides provide closet-like spaces for other parts of the house.
The roof structure, which is about 18 feet (5.5 m) high at its highest point and whose underside is finished with narrow wooden strips, forms the ceiling of the living room. Large triangular windows with protruding hoods in each of the four gables provide natural light for the living room while minimizing direct sunlight. The triangular windows are fixed in place, but beside them are wooden panels that can be opened for ventilation. (Buttiker, Urs (1994). Louis I. Kahn: Light and Space. New York: Whitney Library of Design. pp. 83–84.)
The house was designed during a period in which Kahn was interested in structures based on triangular geometries, largely inspired by Anne Tyng, a co-worker and the mother of one of his children. (Brownlee, David; David De Long (1991). Louis I. Kahn: In the Realm of Architecture. New York: Rizzoli International Publications.>
About the Man
Louis Isadore Kahn (born Itze-Leib Schmuilowsky) (February 20, 1901 – March 17, 1974) was an American architect, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. After working in various capacities for several firms in Philadelphia, he founded his own atelier in 1935. While continuing his private practice, he served as a design critic and professor of architecture at Yale School of Architecture from 1947 to 1957.
From 1957 until his death, he was a professor of architecture at the School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania. Influenced by ancient ruins, Kahn created a style that was monumental and monolithic; his heavy buildings do not hide their weight, their materials, or the way they are assembled. Louis Kahn's works are considered as monumental beyond modernism. Famous for his meticulously built works, his provocative unbuilt proposals, and his teaching, Kahn was one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. He was awarded the AIA Gold Medal and the RIBA Gold Medal.