I he simplicity of Mr. Keen’s house, so evident in its structure, is an element of beauty. A style appropriate to the locality was chosen and the 
best traditions of the older architecture preserved; the plainness of style wins beauty without the apparent struggle for effect that is so often evident 
Homes That Architects Have Built For Themselves 
THE HOUSE OF CHARLES BARTON KEEN AT STRAFFORD, PENNSYLVANIA - A HOME THAT IS ADMIRABLY 
PLANNED FOR PEOPLE OF AlODERATE MEANS AND BUILT IN HARMONY WITH THE SURROUNDINGS 
by Mabel Tuke Priestman 
T L 1 ERE is something distinctly indi¬ 
vidual and pleasing about the home 
that Mr. Keen has built for himself at 
Strafford. Pennsylvania. Although it is 
built after the manner of the farmhouse 
of Colonial days it possesses many 
unique improvements and well planned 
additions which display a notable de¬ 
velopment that has brought Mr. Keen 
widespread recognition. 
The farmhouse type is the ideal 
American home, its architect maintains, 
for people of moderate means. It is the 
natural and logical outgrowth of the cli¬ 
mate and of the traditions and sentiments 
of its inhabitants, and is best suited to its 
environment. For it is simple, broad, 
hospitable and rational in its close rela¬ 
tionship with the trees and flowers. 
The house was designed primarily to 
meet the demands of the family. At the 
same time there were many theories the 
architect wished to test. It is inter¬ 
The lattice work for vines over the doorway is 
the keynote to the scheme of the whole house 
esting to note these theories, and to find 
that after considerable care on the part 
of the architect they have proved as 
practical as they were ideal. The sim¬ 
plicity of the house is evident in the very 
structure of the building', which in itself 
is an element of beauty. The accentuated 
horizontal lines give the house the effect 
of harmonizing with the country and 
make it appear as a natural growth in¬ 
stead of something built or transplanted. 
In answer to the question aroused by 
the preference he has for the farmhouse 
type exemplified especially by the house 
adjoining his own, “Why do you favor 
heavy column supports for projecting 
roof lines?” Mr. Kean replied, “In 
houses in which the second floor extends 
over the first floor, the projecting roof 
lines cast a strong shadow and have a 
heavy effect. The heavy columns are 
necessary from the practical and esthetic 
standpoint to give them proper support.” 
(3 6 /) 
