Penn State University Libraries - The Condee House

During World War II, Ralph and Norma Condee were both cryptanalysts for the U. S. Navy. After the war, they located in State College where Ralph became Professor of English Literature with a specialty in Shakespeare and Milton, and Norma became a translator. They became friends with the Hajjar family and asked Bill to design a house for them at their lot on Waring Avenue.

The whole family were performing musicians, Norma having been one of several co-founders of The Music Academy. For 50 years, she was a member of The Choral Society. Foremost, they wanted a house for music. Hajjar first assumed that they wanted a separate music room. Instead, they wanted soundproofed bedrooms so that each member of the family could be practicing without disturbing others.

In addition Ralph wanted a greenhouse to start and grow plants, a favorite hobby. He was a licensed bird bander and wanted to be able to net and band birds as well. Also, they had a collection of about 8,000 books to house.

The entry path from Waring Avenue leads through grounds landscaped by Ralph; the appearance is like an Altman print.

After walking past the bedroom wing on the left, an entry courtyard is in the middle.

The living room window wall is to the right. The house placement was dictated by rock ridges through the lot.

This view of the entryway is toward the bedroom wing.

Here the view of the entry hall is toward the living room.

The dining room is to the left of the entry hall. A large two-sided, free-standing divider originally separated the dining and living areas.

Fifty-two feet of shelf space extend the full length of the living-dining area on the rear wall. The door is to the covered porch.

Norma and Ralph each asked the other if they were willing to carry in wood and carry out ashes for a fire. Neither wanted to, so this "non-fireplace" wall resulted. (There is a fireplace on the covered porch on the opposite side, however.) Also, the spot light in the ceiling is not for the painting. The Condees' harpsichord was placed in this location and the light was directed to the music rack.

Large windows above the kitchen work area let Norma enjoy watching Ralph's birds while attending to food preparation chores.

The courtyard becomes a part of the living area with its large window wall providing brightness even on gray days.

A covered porch lets residents enjoy the courtyard even when rain falls.

An attached greenhouse let Ralph enjoy his love of plants year round.