Join fellow current and former owners in sharing information and honoring this esteemed local architect.

Garrison homeowners Michelle Clifton and Sue Downes know that there must be many other people out there just like them — in one respect, at least.  They are owners of homes designed by modernist architect and former Garrison resident Frank Dushin, and they both feel a reverence for, and strong personal connection with their dwellings. Clifton has lived in hers for 25 years, and Downes, 14.

Having chanced upon each other, they excitedly shared what they knew about Dushin and his designs, and have now joined together to seek out other current and former owners of the many homes which were built in this area and nearby, beginning in the early 1960’s.  Downes’ home was built in 1961, Clifton’s in 1971.

Frank Dushin-designed home, owned by Sue Downes. Photo by Jan Thacher

Dushin who passed away three years ago, studied architecture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, worked for the architectural firm of Edward Durell Stone in New York, received a Fulbright Scholarship, and taught Modern American Architecture at the University of Durham in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England.

In the mid-1950s he opened a private practice in Peekskill. Known as a Frank Lloyd Wright contemporary with a vision of bringing the outdoors in, he designed many (the exact figure is not known, but is thought to be over 60) custom-built homes in the Hudson Valley and metropolitan New York area.  Eight or nine of them are located on Garrison’s South Mountain Pass alone.

Together Clifton and Downes have formed “The Frank Dushin Society,” a collective of modernist homeowners and enthusiasts honoring Dushin’s memory.  According to Society material, the group was organized to “celebrate [Dushin’s] artistic contribution to the Hudson Valley and connect with previous and current homeowners.” Many of his Dushin’s earlier homes still remain.

Downes has written “They are respectfully maintained in their original splendor with his signature structural materials of large expanses of glass combined with the rich visual quality and strength of Douglas fir timber. His iconic architectural designs exude a warmth and spirituality; a stark contrast to the cool minimalism that characterizes many modernist homes today.”

Photo by Sue Downes

Garrison designer Joe Chapman worked with Dushin on several homes.  Chapman says “I always designed my own houses, and he did the architectural/engineering plans.  I loved working with him.  He was a wonderful draftsman, a beautiful craftsman, and he knew a great deal.  He was very influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright. I never had any problems with any of his houses—they all stood up beautifully.”

Downes believes that her home was Dushin’s first commission (he had previously built his own home).  It differs from many of the later homes he designed, in its openness and its lack of a flat roof, but features the Dushin signature of extensive, perfectly placed windows.  Having looked at the very detailed original plans for the home, Downes feels that Dushin may have persuaded the original owners to move from a more traditional to contemporary style during the planning process.

Clifton says that the original owner of her home had one request from Dushin: “I would like a house with a tower.”  And that request was more than fulfilled. Twenty-five years after moving in, Clifton is still enthralled with her home, “I think that this is my favorite house that I’ve ever seen—and I get to live in it.” Both Clifton and Downes acknowledge a spiritual connection with their homes, Clifton noting that “the home is a part of our lives, rather than just a roof over our heads.”

“Tower” Covered with Snow. (Courtesy of Chuck and Michelle Clifton)

Clifton and Downes find it frustrating that Dushin’s output is so undocumented.  It has been very difficult for them to find the level of scholarship and archival materials normally associated with such a successful modern architect.  There is a quirky aspect to elements of the homes which can make repairs and restorations difficult.

They are hoping that The Frank Dushin Society will become comprehensive enough to enable its members to share helpful information which will assist in maintaining these homes.  Eventually they hope to create a database and Web site with homeowner resources.

As a start, The Frank Dushin Society is trying to get the word out.  They are aware of 10 to 15 of the homes and homeowners, and are hoping to connect with the other 35 or 40 out there.  Anyone interested, or with information to share, should email Michelle Clifton at [email protected].

Behind The Story

Type: News

News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

Rooney has been writing for The Current since its founding in 2010. A playwright, she has lived in Cold Spring since 1999. She is a graduate of Binghamton University, where she majored in history. Location: Cold Spring. Languages: English. Area of Expertise: Arts

2 replies on “Do You Own a Home Designed by Frank Dushin?”

  1. This being the first real life home he built, and the finest, most perfectly site oriented, most liveable, most feng shui regarded, most adaptable to the seasons, and with full respect to all those which came after, the most beautiful. It is a monument of simplicity of design. Few people have not commented, upon entering this shelter, with a sense of awe at the spaces and the usefulness. Common sense and art are melded.
    Being his wife, I was allowed to yell a lot and I sympathize with those who had to be polite when he would insist on something that to you didn’t make sense. But in the the end we all came to see his viewpoint and gave in to the, as Frank Llyod Wright would say, “Only me and God knows why”
    Five children found themselves in tbis house, and I am confirmed that a great deal to do with their integrity and love of natural things derived from their environment. You guys who are bringing up kids in one of his houses probably can agree with this. Those of you who could not live in any other architect’s dreams don’t need to be reminded.
    Thank you, whoever, Joe?, Michelle? for instituting an ongoing memorial to a very “competent” (Mrs. Webb’s comment) artistic legend.

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