Beverley David Thorne was born 9 July 1924 in California.
Few men deserve the title ‘Man of Steel’, but Thorne definitely does.
Thorne designed more than 150 homes in his lifetime. His specialty? Homes on steep hillsides built with steel. In 1953, he began working for architect Roger Lee. He soon met musician David Brubeck, and designed his home on the hillside. The home was so breathtaking that it was featured on the Ed Sullivan show. His design catapulted him to fame, sending rich clients his way.
© Bethlehem Steel
David was the last living architect to participate in Arts & Architecture’s famous Case Study Homes. The goal of the project was to introduce modern architecture to the general public.
© Bethlehem Steel
Case study House #26, also known as the Harrison House, was built near San Francisco in 1962. It was intended to be the residence of Harrison Fuller, CEO of Bethlehem Steel. The Harrison House’s design was based on a simple concept: a shoebox. The home had eight identical bays that were steel-framed and covered with a flat roof. Social spaces had double height space, and the roof followed the slope of the lot. The large spans made possible by steel required fewer foundations, and by having the floor levels follow the terrain, the design avoided both expensive excavation or an unattractive “toothpick” look with exposed floor undersides. The home is still standing today and preserved in its original 1963 condition.
© LARRY LEDERMAN
About the Author:
Bruno Dursin – Managing Director at Believe in Steel. Bruno has more than 30 years of experience in promoting steel & steel solutions. His clients benefit from his extensive network within the building industry.
