In 1949, Birch Knoll was an International Style house built for the president of Newtown Square’s Aronmink Golf Club, reports Extant Magazine, as reprinted in Hidden City.

Birch Knoll was designed by Philadelphia Architect George Daub in collaboration with Albert Clauss, and restored in 2023 by k YODER design.

The Newtown Square restoration came after the glass, steel, stone and wood structure fell into disrepair after a 2011 renovation.

New owners wanted to restore the midcentury modern aesthetic.

The restoration earned k Yoder Design a Grand Jury Award at the 2024 Preservation Achievement Awards.

Kevin Yoder of k Yoder Design said the firm was drawn to the home’s pedigree and International Style design and by the owner’s desire to save the house from foreclosure and “do the right thing” with preservation.

The most critical areas of preservation were the original entry stair with its triangular plan shape.

The clients were inspired by the houses of Frank Lloyd Wright and wanted better indoor-outdoor connections.

“This motivated us to add sliding walls and doors where previously single- hinged doors or no access existed and to create larger windows where possible,” Yoder said.

Read more about the efforts to restore the Birch Knoll home in Hidden City.