Rowdy Meadow
By Anne Walker; Introduction by Peter Pennoyer
Rowdy Meadow, a visionary house designed and decorated by Peter Pennoyer Architects in Hunting Valley, Ohio, is a complete work of art, encompassing its architecture, interior design, furnishings, collections of decorative and contemporary art, landscape architecture, and sculpture park. Inspired by Czech Cubism—an ephemeral movement notable for its exploration of prismatic forms—it is a house of tremendous complexity made to feel simple and calm by the mastery of the language of this style. With author Anne Walker as our guide, we tour the house room by room, viewing not only the exquisite architectural details but also the extraordinary collection of twentieth-century furniture and decorative arts, the world-class contemporary art collection, and bespoke installations so expertly woven into the design that they virtually become part of the fabric of the house. We explore the Reed Hilderbrand–designed landscape and sculpture park, which features works by the likes of Richard Serra, Sol LeWitt, Ai Weiwei, Anish Kapoor, and six installations by Andy Goldsworthy spread throughout the 146- acre property. Illustrated with photographs taken throughout the seasons by Eric Piasecki, as well as with renderings, plans, and elevations, the book itself is a unique work of art.