DocomomoJoin
  • Explore Modern
    • Explore the register
    • Designers
    • Styles of the Modern Era
    • Resources
  • Latest News
  • Events
    • Upcoming events
    • Modernism in America Awards
    • National Symposium
    • Tour Day
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Membership
    • Theodore Prudon Fund
    • Why become a member
    • Members & Supporters
  • Engage
    • About
    • Regional chapters
    • Start a chapter
    • Submit a site you love
    • Get involved
  • Search
  • Explore Modern
  • Register

Gagarin II

Excellent
  • Mid-Century Modern
  • Identity of Building/Site
  • History of Building/Site
  • Documentation

Gagarin II

Southwestern exposure of Gagarin II, Litchfield, CT. Designed by Marcel Breuer, 1973-74.

Credit

Kyra Hartnett

Site overview

Gagarin II is a beautiful example of Marcel Breuer's mid-century modern design, it is in fact one of the last residences he worked on. Comissioned by Andy and Jamie Gagarin in 1973, this home was their second designed by Breuer, and features a more secluded, intimate feel over Gagarin I. The home features a binuclear structure with a butterfly roof that echo the iconic House in the Garden designed by Breuer for the MoMA. Grounding it in its natural surroundings in the rolling hills of Litchfield, the home pays close attention to the use of materials with a limited range, while also using materials such as fieldstone to relate it to its natural surroundings. The home was occupied by Jamie Gagarin until she passed in 2016, with the current owners embarking on an ambitious restoration project using original reference materials as a base.

Gagarin II

Gagarin II Southwestern exposure, 1974

Site overview

Gagarin II is a beautiful example of Marcel Breuer's mid-century modern design, it is in fact one of the last residences he worked on. Comissioned by Andy and Jamie Gagarin in 1973, this home was their second designed by Breuer, and features a more secluded, intimate feel over Gagarin I. The home features a binuclear structure with a butterfly roof that echo the iconic House in the Garden designed by Breuer for the MoMA. Grounding it in its natural surroundings in the rolling hills of Litchfield, the home pays close attention to the use of materials with a limited range, while also using materials such as fieldstone to relate it to its natural surroundings. The home was occupied by Jamie Gagarin until she passed in 2016, with the current owners embarking on an ambitious restoration project using original reference materials as a base.

Gagarin II

Gagarin II southern exposure showing restored back deck. (2022)

Credit

Kyra Hartnett

Site overview

Gagarin II is a beautiful example of Marcel Breuer's mid-century modern design, it is in fact one of the last residences he worked on. Comissioned by Andy and Jamie Gagarin in 1973, this home was their second designed by Breuer, and features a more secluded, intimate feel over Gagarin I. The home features a binuclear structure with a butterfly roof that echo the iconic House in the Garden designed by Breuer for the MoMA. Grounding it in its natural surroundings in the rolling hills of Litchfield, the home pays close attention to the use of materials with a limited range, while also using materials such as fieldstone to relate it to its natural surroundings. The home was occupied by Jamie Gagarin until she passed in 2016, with the current owners embarking on an ambitious restoration project using original reference materials as a base.

Gagarin II

Gagarin II living area after restoration, 2022

Credit

Kyra Hartnett

Site overview

Gagarin II is a beautiful example of Marcel Breuer's mid-century modern design, it is in fact one of the last residences he worked on. Comissioned by Andy and Jamie Gagarin in 1973, this home was their second designed by Breuer, and features a more secluded, intimate feel over Gagarin I. The home features a binuclear structure with a butterfly roof that echo the iconic House in the Garden designed by Breuer for the MoMA. Grounding it in its natural surroundings in the rolling hills of Litchfield, the home pays close attention to the use of materials with a limited range, while also using materials such as fieldstone to relate it to its natural surroundings. The home was occupied by Jamie Gagarin until she passed in 2016, with the current owners embarking on an ambitious restoration project using original reference materials as a base.

Gagarin II

Gagarin II living area, 1974

Site overview

Gagarin II is a beautiful example of Marcel Breuer's mid-century modern design, it is in fact one of the last residences he worked on. Comissioned by Andy and Jamie Gagarin in 1973, this home was their second designed by Breuer, and features a more secluded, intimate feel over Gagarin I. The home features a binuclear structure with a butterfly roof that echo the iconic House in the Garden designed by Breuer for the MoMA. Grounding it in its natural surroundings in the rolling hills of Litchfield, the home pays close attention to the use of materials with a limited range, while also using materials such as fieldstone to relate it to its natural surroundings. The home was occupied by Jamie Gagarin until she passed in 2016, with the current owners embarking on an ambitious restoration project using original reference materials as a base.

Awards

Design

Citation of Merit

Residential

2022

The jury awards a Design Citation of Merit for the restoration of the Gagarin II Residence. Commissioned by Andy and Jamie Gagarin in 1973 and completed in 1974, it is one of the last residences Breuer worked on. The home features a binuclear structure with a butterfly roof that echoes the iconic House in the Garden designed by Breuer for MoMA. Grounding it in its natural surroundings in the rolling hills of Litchfield, the home pays close attention to the use of a limited range of materials such as fieldstone to relate it to its natural surroundings. The owners purchased the home directly from the Gagarin family in 2016. Jamie Gagarin had collaborated closely with Breuer on the design, which gave the new owners access to the home's original blueprints, pictures, and stories. They used these reference materials, elements from Breuer's other work, and conversations with Breuer's architectural partner Bob Gatje, to inform the restoration process. Inappropriate vinyl siding was removed and replaced with tongue and groove wood that maintains visual continuity. Where the original wooden deck had been removed by previous owners, leaving only a concrete slab, the substructure was improved with a gravel bed and drainage system, and the deck was recreated in its exact pattern. A new HVAC system was carefully installed using original blueprints to locate empty areas in the walls to keep the infrastructure concealed. 

“Following the recently destroyed Geller House in Long Island, it is important to acknowledge the significance of these modest modern homes and celebrate stewards who seek to honor the design and see significance beyond its land value.”

- Liz Waytkus, Docomomo US Executive Director

 

“The project exhibits a very high design quality, including landscape. Breuer houses tend to be small by today’s standards, so, many times, the response is a major enlargement, which did not happen here. I applaud the intelligent restraint.”

- Henry Moss, AIA, 2022 Jury chair
Client

Kyra and Robertson Hartnett

Restoration Team

Kyra and Robertson Hartnett (General Contractors); Sub-contractors: Benovation, Bryant Glass, K&M Hauling, Toledo Masonry, Muecke Inc., Clifford A. Cooper Architecture, TNT Refrigeration, Hearne Hardwoods, Custom Electric, Creative Electric, J&M Plumbing, Slate & Copper Services

How to Visit

Private residence

Location

Gagarin II

Gallows Lane
Litchfield, Connecticut, 06759

Country

United States

Case Study House No. 21

Lorem ipsum dolor

Southwestern exposure of Gagarin II, Litchfield, CT. Designed by Marcel Breuer, 1973-74.

Credit:

Kyra Hartnett

Gagarin II Southwestern exposure, 1974

Gagarin II southern exposure showing restored back deck. (2022)

Credit:

Kyra Hartnett

Gagarin II living area after restoration, 2022

Credit:

Kyra Hartnett

Gagarin II living area, 1974

Designer(s)

Marcel Breuer

Architect

Nationality

American, Hungarian

Robert Gatje

Architect

Nationality

American

Affiliation

Marcel Breuer

Other designers

Tician Papachristou

Related News

Announcing the winners of the 2022 Modernism in America Awards

Award, Modernism in America

September 12, 2022

Related chapter

New York/Tri State

Related Sites

Commission

1973

Completion

1974

Original Brief

Gagarin II is one of the last works of Marcel Breuer, commissioned by the Gagarin family who already occupied a home designed by Breuer on the property. Designed in 1973, Gagarin II is one of the last residential works in Breuer's storied career. The design is evocative of the House in the Garden displayed at the MoMA from 1949-1950, but with a more quiet, grounded feel. This was due in part to the passing of the Gagarin's youngest son and the desire to construct a more reflective space of solace (Bradley). This basic design is emblematic of Breuer's vision for ideal family living. Jamie Gagarin occupied the house from its completion until 2016 when she passed away. The new owners of the iconic structure have embarked on an ambitious renovation, using original reference materials as well as input from Breuer's partner Bob Gatje.

References

Bradley, Darren. "Litchfield: The Other Connecticut Modernist City." Darren Bradley Photography. 3 March 2021. 31 August 2022. <https://www.darrenbradleyphotography.com/post/litchfield-the-other-connecticut-modernist-city>

"Gagarin House II" Marcel Breuer Digital Archive. 31 August 2022. <https://breuer.syr.edu/project.php?id=579>

About
  • Docomomo US
  • US Board of Directors
  • Partner Organizations
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Credits
  • Contact
Membership
  • Membership Overview
  • Why you should become a member
  • Join
  • Members & Supporters

© Copyright 2025 Docomomo US

Donate

Donations keep vital architecture alive and help save threatened sites around the country. Docomomo US relies on your donations to raise awareness of modern design and advocate for threatened sites. Donate today ›