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 at 305 Shore Rd., Greenwich, Connecticut. View from north](https://blogs.cul.columbia.edu/tafelarchive/files/2013/02/Haut-residence-at-305-Shore-Rd.-Greenwich-Connecticut.-View-from-north.jpg)
Photographer: Gottscho-Schleisner, Inc.
Mudge Residence (1950), Bedford Village, New York
![Mudge Residence](https://blogs.cul.columbia.edu/tafelarchive/files/2013/03/Mudge-Residence-1024x760.jpg)
Photographer: Lionel Freedman
Mrs. Harold Stark Residence (1949), Weaver Street and Dante Road, Larchmont, New York
![Mrs. Harold Stark Residence at Weaver St. and Dante Rd., Larchmont, New York. View towards entrance II](https://blogs.cul.columbia.edu/tafelarchive/files/2013/02/Mrs.-Harold-Stark-residence-at-Weaver-St.-and-Dante-Rd.-Larchmont-New-York.-View-towards-entrance-II.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](https://blogs.cul.columbia.edu/tafelarchive/files/2013/02/Alpern-residence-1024x745.jpg)
Photographer: Lionel Freedman
![ottinger residence 1950](https://blogs.cul.columbia.edu/tafelarchive/files/2013/02/ottinger-residence-19501.png)
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
![Frederick Greenberg Residence on Sawmill Hill Rd., Ridgefield, Connecticut. 1951](https://blogs.cul.columbia.edu/tafelarchive/files/2013/02/Frederick-Greenberg-residence-on-Sawmill-Hill-Rd.-Ridgefield-Connecticut.-1951.jpg)
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.