Early Tafel Residences

Tafel was an apprentice at Taliesin from 1932 to 1941, after which he began his own architectural practice. There is evidence of a few of Tafel’s early residential projects from the early 1950s in the archive which survive in the slides, photographs, and in some files and drawings. In his early career Tafel’s office was in his home at 14 East 11th Street. In the 60s and 70s he moved his office to 74 5th Avenue, until later relocating to his home again. It is possible that Tafel’s drawings for his early residences were discarded or lost during a move.

The following is a sample of photographs of early Tafel residences. In some cases I have provided more information found on websites.

Haut Residence (1949), 305 Shore Road, Greenwich, Connecticut

Haut Residence: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/service/pnp/gsc/5a16000/5a16300/5a16322r.jpg
Photographer: Gottscho-Schleisner, Inc.


Mudge Residence (1950), Bedford Village, New York

Mudge Residence: Edgar Tafel Archive
Photographer: Lionel Freedman


Mrs. Harold Stark Residence (1949), Weaver Street and Dante Road, Larchmont, New York

Stark Residence: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/service/pnp/gsc/5a19000/5a19300/5a19390r.jpg
Photographer: Gottscho-Schleisner, Inc.


Jacob L. Alpern Residence (1950), 8 Overlook Road, Scarsdale, New York

Click here for a 1950 newspaper article containing Tafel’s drawings for the Alpern Residence.

Alpern Residence: Edgar Tafel Archive
Photographer: Lionel Freedman


The Alpern Residence later belonged to Lawrence Ottinger, and appears in this picture to have been renovated.
Alpern / Ottinger Residence: https://www.scarsdale.com/Portals/0/Manager/Reconnaissance%20Report%20FINAL%20part2.pdf
Photographer: unknown


Frederick Greenberg Residence (1951), Sawmill Hill Road, Ridgefield, Connecticut

Greenberg Residence: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/gsc1994001993/PP/
Photographer: Gottscho-Schleisner, Inc.

 

More Sources:

 

The Louis H. and Marie Hamilton Residence (1949) in Racine, Wisconsin, was designed by Tafel and named a historic place by Preservation Racine.

The Library of Congress also contains some Edgar Tafel project images.

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