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domus48

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  1. Speaking of "parties"... Houston Mod 2009 Architectural Exhibit July 9 - August 28 / Architecture Center Houston Houston Mod presents its 4th architectural exhibition entitled Endangered Modern: The Real Story. The exhibit will open with a public reception on July 9, 2009 from 5:30PM to 7:30PM. It will be held at the galleries of the Houston AIA / Architecture Center Houston, 315 Capital #120 and will run through August 28, 2009. The exhibit aims to create a greater understanding of the threats to architecturally significant structures that ultimately lead to their destruction and loss. Nearly a dozen significant modern architectural landmarks that face potential demolition or destruction are detailed with both historic information and current photographs. Structures highlighted in the exhibit include: Harris County Domed Stadium The Prudential Building First Pasadena State Bank Tower University of Houston Student Life Plaza Alabama Theater Penguin Arms Apartments Memorial Bend neighborhood modern houses Riverside Terrace neighborhood modern houses Richmond Office Corridor (2900-3400 Richmond) The exhibition will make use of architectural drawings, new and historic photographs, models, historic objects, and renderings. A complimentary brochure will provide additional photos and context. The exhibition is a collaborative project led by Houston Mod board member Monica Savino and includes the participation of the Houston Mod board and other notable local preservationists and architects. About Houston Mod Houston Mod is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to promoting knowledge and appreciation of modern architecture and design in the Houston area. Houston Mod advocates the preservation of this cultural legacy and seeks support from its members and the general public in achieving this goal. Houston Mod's programs include exchange of information, documentation of cultural resources, lectures, publications, exhibitions, tours, and preservation advocacy. More about Houston Mod can be found on the group's web site at www.HoustonMod.org
  2. Curious house architecturally... there are a few like-design homes adjacent to this property as well. Would like to know if these were architect designed. Nevertheless, this property suffers from a few issues: It backs up to a "bayou" Garage entry is via Memorial very close to a traffic light/intersection The properties adjacency to said intersection is not plus The remodel was not sensitive to period of home -- or does it represent good design -- and has an unfortunate "flip" quality A potential buyer would be wise to investigate a few acoustic remediation schemes such as: Blown-in cellulosic insulation throughout structure, replace all glazing with double pane, erect a concrete block privacy fence (at the very least on the Memorial side) -- if permitted by deed restrictions, review with a design professional potential changes to key elevations in terms of fenestration type, etc. Unfortunately, at the end of the day this property is subject to "chi" from both Memorial as well as Brittmoore. That will never go away... but it can be minimized. This property could be cool but why would anyone bother when there are so many other options out there? Tuff sell.
  3. This home: http://memorialbendarchitecture.com/12747mem.htm -- a potential William Floyd design -- is likely a goner given its state (pretty sad). Its current state would require a considerable budget to restore/renovate. Has been on the market for an extended period. There's something appealing to me about this property... perhaps its the 'diamond in the rough" aspect. More likely than not a knock-down. This one has been addressed on this site parenthetically, so perhaps we should establish it's own topic: http://search.har.com/engine/dispSearch.cf...20Memorial%20Dr More here from "Memorial Bend" website: http://memorialbendarchitecture.com/12943mem.htm Appears well maintained and is architecturally distinctive -- could certainly benefit from professional landscaping in keeping with the homes design. A little digging at the downtown library will likely yield information on both the home as well as former occupants should a potential buyer seek a landmark designation.
  4. What's important to bear in mind on this addition to Memorial Bend is the fact that this home is "build to suit" -- the current owner of the property will be the occupant of the home. The original structure was no keeper with respect to being architecturally significant, however the owner opted to build a generic, box -- the kind of home one could find anywhere in the United States. The central issue here is context. If the home erected had been "modern" in design -- there are abundant examples of two story modern homes -- at least the structure would communicate with its surroundings. As it is, we have yet another example of standard issue home design. Is contextual design is not too much to ask for?
  5. "And according to a Realtor, mods typically sell for about 10% less than traditionals, because fewer people want mods." Hummm... perhaps Robert Searcy can pony up an reply on this one. My gut response is that many folk in the market are caught up in the concept of new is better and that a family of four require 300 s.f. or more. Plus it takes a very specific market segment who desire and possess the wherewithal to restore/renovate a property -- be it post-war modern or any other period for that matter. "Also, flat roofs are a maintenance issue. There aren't a lot of roofers who do flat roofs." Not this topic again. To issue a blanket statement that "flat roofs are a maintenance issue" is not correct as all roofs are a maintenance issue. A flat roof will likely reveal it's problem sooner than a conventional pitched roof. As to the roofer/flat roofs comment, there are plenty who will do the work and guarantee the work as well. But, in general you get what you pay for so the roof is not the place to low-ball. Also, the work has to be done correctly -- putting new roofing material on a poor condition substrate will not get you another 15 years of protection from the elements. But are folk willing to chance it rather than springing for another $3 -- $5000 to correct substrate, you bet. Ergo, flat roofs are considered problematic. But please, lets not shift from the original topic(s) to a roofing debate.
  6. "I blame the gradual shift away from Classical training in the curriculum's of architecture schools." "It is probably fair to say that Andrea Palladio, who died in 1580, is the patron saint of every McMansion that has ever cluttered the American landscape, because it is he who brought architectural aspiration to the houses of the moderately wealthy. Before Palladio, serious architecture was for churchs, public buildings, and the palaces for the richest nobles. Palladio studied the architecture of ancient Rome, codified its elements in a famous treatise, and started putting porticoes and pediments and domes on on the houses of the landed gentry, conferring on them a feeling of classical pedigree." Excerpted from "All He Survived", by Paul Goldberger, The New Yorker , March 30, 2009 Dead-on statement regarding the "McMansion aesthetic" -- if one could be so bold as to pair aesthetic and McMansion (such are mutually exclusive). 523 Electra is fully realized as a McMansion.
  7. Interestingly, Hugh Gragg also delineated the plans for the Clarewoood House retirement community: http://www.clarewoodhouse.com/index.html -- see the "history" section, years 1962 and '64.
  8. As posted on swamplot.com this morning, this late 50's home is slated to be demolished: http://har.com/HomeValue/dispSoldDetail.cfm?MLNUM=6432871# Pity as the overall quality appears quite workable -- not to mention original. It's not often you'll find well maintained and non-altered homes of this ilk... no doubt such will be replaced with a home akin to what's next door.
  9. There are homes that integrate and become part of a whole; there are homes that while not necessarily integrating in terms of style are stand-outs and become part of a collective; then there are houses that have virtually no ties to style or form, possessing no conceptual platform other than a container for people with applied stylistic elements. Guess which of the preceding types is currently under construction at 523 Electra. This item would not be as significant a topic if this was a speculative project... but as it is a custom home for the property owners there ought to be something in place to assure a degree of sensitivity to the overall neighborhood context is upheld. Call me a dreamer...
  10. "Could you please tell me where they are that are as interesting, well-located and for a $240,000 asking price?" You should be able to purchase a decent post-war modern for that price... as to whether or not it will require updating/renovation is entirely dependent on location. Real Estate Agent Robert Searcy will likely be able to assist you in your quest... I'll send you his email address.
  11. "the following link is to a house in Meyerland by the Metropolitan Design Group... " Not sure this post is clear as to its intent: Are you suggesting the home noted below will be by Metropolitan Design Group? The contemporary home featured when you open the site would certainly be more welcome than a flickering lantern home. "Many of you will be encouraged to know that the house at 12727 memorial in memorial bend will be a mod - -a site adaptation of the Meyerland house by the same architect - rather than something of a more traditional architectural style." Encouraging.
  12. First floor framed-in... looks like at least a 10'-0" ceiling height. Does not bode well.
  13. There are a number of issues with this property... all of which have been covered previoulsy. Personally I am not a fan of this home regardless of it's provenance. From a business standpoint, any property in a flood zone -- especially the 100 year flood plain -- is (no pun intended) a wash-out. It simply does not make business sense to buy a property, restore/renovate it (in this case you would easily spend at a minimum an equal amount to purchase price) only to have to do it all over again once it floods. Would you ever see a return on your investment? Perhaps... but there are many other properties of this era much more worthy of saving -- and for that matter, of being a topic. More than of few of which are now gone... and they did not garner half the attention this "white elephant" has. Too bad.
  14. I would venture to guess that it is simply too difficult to make the numbers work -- purchase price/renovation costs/flood insurance/etc. It's certainly not a matter of lack of interest in the property... how many times has this home been in the process of closing only to re-appear with a "for sale" sign?
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