The House

Designed by Charlie Zehnder in 1970, the Kugel/Gips house was abandoned for eleven years and in an advanced state of decay until CCMHT obtained a lease in 2009, and started restoration. Since then it has hosted annual residencies.

The house hovers above a secluded Northeast Pond (looking across to Great Pond) with no other building in sight. The massive masonry base anchors the broad cantilevering decks and eaves out into the landscape. Zehnder’s interest in Frank Lloyd Wright as well as intimate understanding of the Outer Cape’s terrain and climate are clearly seen, with the plan pinwheeling around a massive hearth and stretching out to take advantage of views and the prevailing breeze. There are three bedrooms, two baths and the ocean beach is a five minute walk. Furniture and art in the house has been collected and donated to help contexturalize the architecture.

The house has three bedrooms, one king sized bed and two queens, two full bathrooms. Slow dial-up internet and land line phone. Also has heat. A/C.

The Designer

Charlie Zehnder’s father was a successful physician with an office in Newark, New Jersey. Zehnder attended the University of Virginia, where he spent one long evening with a group of other students talking with Frank Lloyd Wright, an event that had a life-long impact.

He received a degree in industrial design from The Rhode Island School of Design and immediately after leaving the Marine Corps in 1957, came to the Cape to help his friend, Ray Brock build a house in Truro. Settling in Wellfleet, he bought some land on the bay side and started an architectural practice which ultimately produced over fifty, highly original houses on the Outer Cape. He was also one of the prime movers behind building the local drive-in movie theater on what was once an asparagus field.

Zehnder creatively cross-pollinated with the prominent Modernists who had settled in Wellfleet before him while maintaining his own idiosyncratic approach to architecture. Aside from Wright, he was very influenced by Thomas Jefferson (both as an architect and inventor), and the geometric, concrete bunker fortifications at Normandy. His restless experimentation with geometries and materials led to a body of work, remarkable for its intimate relationship with the Cape’s terrain, climate and creative lifestyle. Most of his clients were artists and writers and many became close friends for many years.

If he had money he would often buy a car on the spot, and sometimes give it away, just as spontaneously to someone who needed it. Zehnder loved cars, boats and airplanes because he thought they were designed honestly. He died in Wellfleet in 1985.