Willowisp Posted March 4, 2005 Share Posted March 4, 2005 Hey everyone, This house is just south of Braeswood Blvd. I thought you guys would appreciate it. If this is your house and you don't appreciate me invading your privacy or something, let me know and I'll take it down. I was tempted to knock on the door and ask for a tour. The house curves around with the street. There is another mod next door and a modified modern (which was modified after its appearance in the '99 guide) on the other side. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talbot Posted March 5, 2005 Share Posted March 5, 2005 It unique for sure, but I don't think I could live in it. I want a place with windows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasdago Posted March 7, 2005 Share Posted March 7, 2005 Not familiar with the house but just because it doesn't have windows in the front doesn't mean it doesn't have windows. In fact, there are many houses in our neighborhood that have planar facades in the front and, once you go inside, you're greeted with floor to ceiling windows overlooking gardens. Appearances can be deceptive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris7772 Posted March 7, 2005 Share Posted March 7, 2005 Hey everyone,This house is just south of Braeswood Blvd. I thought you guys would appreciate it. If this is your house and you don't appreciate me invading your privacy or something, let me know and I'll take it down. I was tempted to knock on the door and ask for a tour. The house curves around with the street. There is another mod next door and a modified modern (which was modified after its appearance in the '99 guide) on the other side. Jason <{POST_SNAPBACK}> never seen the house, looks somewhat interesting...the best advice i have about wanting to see inside is to look presentable and knock on the door. in fact, i have used to effect in many houses in the past. i don't know if it's because people who live in unusual homes are more accomodating and hospitable because they truly love their house and want to share it, or if simply people in general are this hospitable (probably a combination). but it works. i have seen some amazing houses this way. i met a couple in beaumont, all of 80 years old, who had commissioned their house in 1950 from howard barnstone, a local master. i simply approached them, told them i was an architect (i am, but if you're not, and you think you can handle the facade, i say do it) and was very interested in their house and would love to have a tour. they agreed, and i had the most marvelous several hours chatting with them about the house itself, what it was like working with an architect of caliber, looking over actual blueprints they have kept in a closet for the last 50 years...people, the house had it's original danish furniture! amazing. try it, it works, and you have the opportunity to gain a most wonderful experience... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceAge Posted March 7, 2005 Share Posted March 7, 2005 Is this house at 5039 "GM" Drive? I have not been by it for a year or so but it is very memorable. It has some of the strangest details I have ever seen. The front portal looks as if it can be raised or lowered at whim! The rest of the place looks merely like a wall with nothing behind it. At least that is the impression I was left with. It seems the house may be so perverse in plan that it can not be sketched by the county appraisal district. Stephen Fox, author of the Houston Architectural Guide, says, "(The house) at 5039 is a scream." Yes, unfortunately, everything that made the Howard Barnstone house across the cul-de-sac special, has been covered with stucco and pom-pom shrubs. I live in a house with no windows viewing the street-scape. It has 15 plate glass full-view windows and 10 glazed exterior doors, not counting the garage. I enjoy the privacy and views to the courtyard and backyard but am often frustrated when I hear something out front but cannot see out. I am considering installing a camera on the chimney. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willowisp Posted March 8, 2005 Author Share Posted March 8, 2005 Yes, that's the "scream" house. That comment is what made us go over to see it. Maybe I should knock on the door. I will encourage Houston Mod to issue cards to its members so we can knock on doors and have a card that shows we're not joking around. "Ma'am, I'm with Houston Mod and we are very enthusiastic about modern architecture. Do you have a moment to show me your house?" The people I've encountered have been older people who have no idea there's a group of enthusiasts for their type of house. Certainly they've seen the tear downs and think like we do that housing archetecture lacks imagination these days. They are obliging to say the least when they find out that members of the younger generation are interested in their unique houses. Jason Is this house at 5039 "GM" Drive? I have not been by it for a year or so but it is very memorable. It has some of the strangest details I have ever seen. The front portal looks as if it can be raised or lowered at whim! The rest of the place looks merely like a wall with nothing behind it. At least that is the impression I was left with. It seems the house may be so perverse in plan that it can not be sketched by the county appraisal district. Stephen Fox, author of the Houston Architectural Guide, says, "(The house) at 5039 is a scream." Yes, unfortunately, everything that made the Howard Barnstone house across the cul-de-sac special, has been covered with stucco and pom-pom shrubs. I live in a house with no windows viewing the street-scape. It has 15 plate glass full-view windows and 10 glazed exterior doors, not counting the garage. I enjoy the privacy and views to the courtyard and backyard but am often frustrated when I hear something out front but cannot see out. I am considering installing a camera on the chimney.<{POST_SNAPBACK}> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssullivan Posted March 9, 2005 Share Posted March 9, 2005 Where is the house located? I live in the Braeswood area and would like to go see it. Send me a private message if you don't want to publicly post the full address. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssullivan Posted March 22, 2005 Share Posted March 22, 2005 I found this house today and it's unique to say the least. I love how the front wall is taller than the roofline, so it appears to just be a wall with nothing behind it. Great optical illusion. It does look like it's in need of some maintenance though. I wonder what the interior and floor plan is like? It's got to be very unique considering what the front looks like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jersey01 Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 I found this house today and it's unique to say the least. I love how the front wall is taller than the roofline, so it appears to just be a wall with nothing behind it. Great optical illusion. It does look like it's in need of some maintenance though. I wonder what the interior and floor plan is like? It's got to be very unique considering what the front looks like.Wow old post! I've been to this house and it is really unlike anything else I've encountered in the city. Definitely one of the best houses in Houston. What you see from the street is indeed a wall that hides a massive courtyard with a pool. Behind the walls everything is solid glass. The house is designed with two countours, first a contour to the cul-de-sac property and then a second countour around the pool. When inside the walls, you feel like you are in a film set in Los Angeles, complete with slender palm trees. If any of you are familiar with the work of Hal Levitt, the feeling of this house is sort of similar to being in a Levitt house. Lots and lots of white. I'm not sure if I remember correctly, but I think the house has white terrazzo throughout. I wonder what Stephen Fox means exactly by "scream." I've been in the houses on either side of this one as well, and they each have really interesting qualities as well. The house to the right of this is a heavily remodeled Barnstone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marmer Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Wow old post! I've been to this house and it is really unlike anything else I've encountered in the city. Definitely one of the best houses in Houston. What you see from the street is indeed a wall that hides a massive courtyard with a pool. Behind the walls everything is solid glass. The house is designed with two countours, first a contour to the cul-de-sac property and then a second countour around the pool.You can look behind the wall on local.live.com. It's easy to find the owner's name on HCAD. A little Googling makes it easy to find their office address. Send them a letter to their office; if you can do it on some architect's stationery (or Houston Mod's) that would probably be better.Marty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 You can look behind the wall on local.live.com. It's easy to find the owner's name on HCAD. A little Googling makes it easy to find their office address. Send them a letter to their office; if you can do it on some architect's stationery (or Houston Mod's) that would probably be better.Martywhat an odd little cul-de-sac. thanks for the local.live.com link - gives a whole new perspective to the place! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jersey01 Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 You can look behind the wall on local.live.com. It's easy to find the owner's name on HCAD. A little Googling makes it easy to find their office address. Send them a letter to their office; if you can do it on some architect's stationery (or Houston Mod's) that would probably be better.MartyI'm not really too sure why I would write them a letter since I've been there before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marmer Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 I'm not really too sure why I would write them a letter since I've been there before.Didn't mean you. I meant that advice more generally about how to approach homeowners with interesting houses, and to mention the local.live.com website for looking at site layouts from a birdseye 45 degree view.Marty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jersey01 Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 Didn't mean you. I meant that advice more generally about how to approach homeowners with interesting houses, and to mention the local.live.com website for looking at site layouts from a birdseye 45 degree view.MartyGotcha. It read as a reply to my message. Btw thanks for the local.live tip. I was unaware of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwilson Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 If someone visits this house, take pics. I'd *LOVE* to see them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cw4044 Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 This is quite amusing. I am actually in the process of purchasing 5035 Glenmeadow right next door to this one. It's the one on the left mentioned in Fox's book that was designed by Israel Stein (1962). I'm having trouble finding any information on the house or its architect, though. I know it was designed for the architect's brother, Albert Stein, but I can't find out anything other than that. Does anyone know about 5035 Glenmeadow? The house is great, and I can't believe I got it. It's in disrepair, though, and it needs a lot love. The house has absolutelly no windows, which is amazing--just a brick wall on three sides, and a wall of glass on the other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jersey01 Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 This is quite amusing. I am actually in the process of purchasing 5035 Glenmeadow right next door to this one. It's the one on the left mentioned in Fox's book that was designed by Israel Stein (1962). I'm having trouble finding any information on the house or its architect, though. I know it was designed for the architect's brother, Albert Stein, but I can't find out anything other than that. Does anyone know about 5035 Glenmeadow? The house is great, and I can't believe I got it. It's in disrepair, though, and it needs a lot love. The house has absolutelly no windows, which is amazing--just a brick wall on three sides, and a wall of glass on the other.I love your new house. I was able to see inside of it last summer. , though only the public areas. It is so cool the way you enter an outdoor room, though at the time I visited it was cold, wet, and cave-like it really has the potential to be something great. And I love the way the whole back is glass. You have a lot of work in store for you, best of luck! Keep us updated with pics, etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willowisp Posted March 17, 2007 Author Share Posted March 17, 2007 Welcome to the board! Good luck with the house. It seems like things are looking up lately with people restoring mod houses.Is the back mostly sliding glass doors or glass panels or a bit of each?JasonThis is quite amusing. I am actually in the process of purchasing 5035 Glenmeadow right next door to this one. It's the one on the left mentioned in Fox's book that was designed by Israel Stein (1962). I'm having trouble finding any information on the house or its architect, though. I know it was designed for the architect's brother, Albert Stein, but I can't find out anything other than that. Does anyone know about 5035 Glenmeadow? The house is great, and I can't believe I got it. It's in disrepair, though, and it needs a lot love. The house has absolutelly no windows, which is amazing--just a brick wall on three sides, and a wall of glass on the other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenH Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 This is quite amusing. I am actually in the process of purchasing 5035 Glenmeadow right next door to this one. It's the one on the left mentioned in Fox's book that was designed by Israel Stein (1962). I'm having trouble finding any information on the house or its architect, though. I know it was designed for the architect's brother, Albert Stein, but I can't find out anything other than that. Does anyone know about 5035 Glenmeadow? The house is great, and I can't believe I got it. It's in disrepair, though, and it needs a lot love. The house has absolutelly no windows, which is amazing--just a brick wall on three sides, and a wall of glass on the other.This is absolutely all I could find on the architect:Paul and Katie Stein Scholarships [ALL, rotating]As set forth in the will of the late Israel Herman Stein, these scholarships are established in memory of his father and mother, Paul and Katie Stein, and are to be awarded to needy graduate students. Two scholarships are awarded to the schools on a rotating basis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willowisp Posted May 22, 2007 Author Share Posted May 22, 2007 That's a good lead though if someone wanted to find the family for more information. No mention of the schools involved? Meyerland area? You never know - if you can find the descendants maybe they will have architectural archives that can be donated to UH or Rice. Are obituaries indexed? One would think his would be in the Houston paper.JasonThis is absolutely all I could find on the architect:Paul and Katie Stein Scholarships [ALL, rotating]As set forth in the will of the late Israel Herman Stein, these scholarships are established in memory of his father and mother, Paul and Katie Stein, and are to be awarded to needy graduate students. Two scholarships are awarded to the schools on a rotating basis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cw4044 Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 Thanks for the help! The original owner is still alive, but I am hesitant to contact him. Once I finally get the property, I will do that. We're actually still in negotiations... The glass on the back is a mixture of panels and sliding doors. The living room has glass on three slides, and none of those are doors, I think. The hallways alternate with two panels and then a set of sliding doors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenH Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 Mystery solved. Houston Mod was contacted by the son of architect Arthur Steinberg, a prolific architect who built many distinctive modern houses in the Meyerland and Braeswood area. This is one of Steinberg's houses. We'll be posting more to the website when we can get them photographed.Jason got this whole thing started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marmer Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 OK, so the scream house is Steinberg? Just wanted to be sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenH Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Yes. The one next door that CW4044 posted about is by Israel Stein. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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