The Builders

Gropius chose local builder Casper J. Jenney to construct the house. Jenney was familiar with light framed construction and was recommended to Gropius because he was open to new ideas, which was essential for this type of experimental project. Jenney hired Jack Studley as the principal carpenter. The two men worked closely with Gropius during his afternoon visits to the construction site and discussed changes to the plan as a team, each contributing ideas. Jenney and Studley both expressed great pride in their work on Gropius’s new home. The house was completed on September 21, the day of the Great Hurricane of 1938. The Gropiuses has just moved in and Jenney was finishing some last touches when the storm hit. He ended up staying the night as the first guest in the new house.