1929 Richmond Road 
1924, Ernest Flagg 
New York City Individual Landmark 

In 1923, McCall's Magazine announced the development of a series where a group of noted architects would design small houses based on functionality, affordability as well as beauty. The plans for each would be made available to readers for a fee. Eight proposals were published between 1924-25. House sizes ranged from four to seven rooms, and construction costs from $4,000 to $13,500. Flagg's design was at the low end of the scale in both categories. The house was built on a main road, as he wanted it to be easy to find if people wanted to observe the building process, or when it was completed. His goal was to prove his theory that good design could be achieved in smaller buildings at a fraction of the cost. Flagg chronicled the entire process in succeeding articles, including adjustments to the original plans and new construction methods. Although isolated from other buildings from the Estate, the design maintained many of his signature elements, like a retaining wall which forms part of several structures. The McCall Demonstration House brought national attention to Flagg's work, which had already found an audience through his 1922 book Small Houses. It was designated as a NYC Landmark in 1987. Photo by Frank J. Johns, 1967.