In the early 1960s, architect Ferdinand Friedrich (Frederick) Adrian Bruck, known professionally as F.F. Bruck, was commissioned by Alan and Claire Steinert to design a new residence in the Reservoir Hill area of West Cambridge. Bruck was a Harvard GSD graduate who studied under Walter Gropius, a pioneer of modernist architecture.
Bruck later apprenticed at the engineering firm of Stone & Webster, designing power plants, dams, and similar structures. Following his graduation, Bruck taught at the GSD part time as an Associate Professor, a position he held from 1952-1963. Concurrently, he was hired by The Architects Collaborative (TAC) under Gropius and assisted in designs with the firm as well as accepting independent commissions under his company, F. Frederick Bruck, Architect and Associates.
At the time of Bruck’s commission, Alan, a member of the Steinert Piano family, and his wife Claire were in their sixties. When they purchased the former Charles C. Little House on Highland St, they decided it was too large and dated for their tastes. The large Gothic Revival house was demolished and Bruck was tasked with designing a one-story modern home to allow the couple to age in place, display their art collection, and accommodate social gatherings.
The couple insisted on incorporating the latest technologies, including central air conditioning, radiant heating, and low voltage lighting to illuminate their artworks. The design was featured in the 1965 edition of Architectural Record’s annual Record Houses publication, highlighting the best residential project designs of the past year.
Describing the construction of the house, Bruck noted that “the house is wood frame with dark brick veneer. Brick was chosen to blend with the substantial character of the surrounding houses, to reduce maintenance, and because it is a material which could meet the sloping terrain. Wood frame was chosen for economy and to facilitate construction during the winter months.” The building remains one of the best examples of 1960s residential designs in Cambridge.
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