Frazier Forman Peters
Encyclopedia
Frazier Forman Peters was an American builder and architect
specializing in stone houses. He also wrote books on the subject.
, the son of the Revd. John Punnett Peters
, a noted minister. He worked briefly as a chemical engineer, then settled in Westport, Connecticut
, where he became a builder and eventually (ca. 1936) an architect. His first major project was a stone house he built in Westport in the late 1920s for his own family. It featured two living rooms, two offices, and six bedrooms. Difficult economic conditions meant that Peters and his wife were both engaged in small businesses and attempting to be self-sufficient.
In 1936, Peters came to the attention of a Mrs. E. G. Rionda, who later had him design and build a colony of stone houses on her estate in Alpine, New Jersey
. At that time, Peters was gaining small commissions by writing articles for design magazines. Frazier was influenced by the work of Ernest Flagg
and evolved innovative and cost-effective methods of stone building construction. He described these methods in his books, teaching building methodologies that an ordinary person could use to build their own home. The Great Depression
forced Peters to move from Westport to Warwick, New York
in 1936. There he eventually established a community, Points of View, populated with stone houses designed and built by him, in one of which he dwelt until his death.
He died of cancer in February 1963. His second wife, Laura [Stromme], survived him, dying in 1974.
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
specializing in stone houses. He also wrote books on the subject.
Career
Peters was born in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, the son of the Revd. John Punnett Peters
John Punnett Peters
John Punnett Peters was an American Episcopal clergyman and Orientalist, born in New York City. He graduated from Hopkins School in 1868 and then from Yale in 1873. He studied at Berlin and at Leipzig...
, a noted minister. He worked briefly as a chemical engineer, then settled in Westport, Connecticut
Westport, Connecticut
-Neighborhoods:* Saugatuck – around the Westport railroad station near the southwestern corner of the town – a built-up area with some restaurants, stores and offices....
, where he became a builder and eventually (ca. 1936) an architect. His first major project was a stone house he built in Westport in the late 1920s for his own family. It featured two living rooms, two offices, and six bedrooms. Difficult economic conditions meant that Peters and his wife were both engaged in small businesses and attempting to be self-sufficient.
In 1936, Peters came to the attention of a Mrs. E. G. Rionda, who later had him design and build a colony of stone houses on her estate in Alpine, New Jersey
Alpine, New Jersey
Alpine is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. It is a suburb of New York City, located northwest of Midtown Manhattan. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 1,849....
. At that time, Peters was gaining small commissions by writing articles for design magazines. Frazier was influenced by the work of Ernest Flagg
Ernest Flagg
Ernest Flagg was a noted American architect in the Beaux-Arts style. He was also an advocate for urban reform and architecture's social responsibility.-Biography:...
and evolved innovative and cost-effective methods of stone building construction. He described these methods in his books, teaching building methodologies that an ordinary person could use to build their own home. The Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
forced Peters to move from Westport to Warwick, New York
Warwick, New York
Warwick is a town in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 30,764 at the 2000 census. The 2007 census population estimate is 32,669.The Town of Warwick is located in the southwest part of the county...
in 1936. There he eventually established a community, Points of View, populated with stone houses designed and built by him, in one of which he dwelt until his death.
He died of cancer in February 1963. His second wife, Laura [Stromme], survived him, dying in 1974.