domus48

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

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.

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.

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?

"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.

"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.

A very cool house. Good to know who the designer was. I've always wondered...

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.

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.

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...

"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.

"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.

First floor framed-in... looks like at least a 10'-0" ceiling height. Does not bode well.

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.

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?

Framework for foundation in place... establishing an outline for the structure. Well folks, it's too early to tell what this home will look like but early impressions are (no spoiler alert necessary) a flickering lantern, amalgam home (FLAM). Ground floor appears to be approximately 2000 s.f. with a two car garage inclusive. Certainly two stories.

But there exists an odd angle or two in the foundation outline at the rear of the property... something compelling afoot? Or just the usual odd angle thrown-in for good measure?

This site is not about detailing the goings on of a construction project so I will not attempt to set a precedent. I was cautiously optimistic the design for this custom home would integrate into the context of the whole -- that of Memorial Bend. Call me naive but I like to believe... want to believe, that someone building a custom home would look to the left, look to the right (and down the street) and build a home that complements.

Now, I guess one could say: It depends on what you see around you -- one can dismiss original homes and consider only the new. Okay fine, but wouldn't it be something if an attempt was made to acknowledge the inherent modernism throughout Memorial Bend with a home design that embraced modernist tenets to some degree?

I know the answer to that question... but nonetheless I like to state it.

Would like to encourage participants in the Jenkins Tour to share their comments with respect to the tour... what you liked, what you would like to see included in another tour, what aspect could be enhanced, etc.

Feedback is a valuable tool... your thoughts and comments are desired.

Former structure is gone... let's see what begins to take shape.

This one deserves it's own topic heading:

http://search.har.com/engine/dispSearch.cf...mp;backButton=Y

This appears to be an impressive home -- and certainly not overpriced considering what's in the package. More attention should be given to this home with respect to it's history -- who's the architect?

I should point out that I too do not feel this house is distinguished from the standpoint of architectural significance. However, I do feel that anyone building a home -- especially a build to suit home -- should consider the context and fabric of the neighborhood. I've stated in other threads that neighborhoods (regardless of their historic attributes) evolve and that such is inevitable. That said, it is of value for one to consider integrating into the context -- assuming of course such is of merit.

Memorial Bend architeture (30 years + old) is of merit.

Why build yet another faux-Tuscan villa/French ch

" ...it's pending and due to close at the end of the month."

Status?

This demolition is certainly not being done as quickly and quietly as possible -- yard is completely fenced off and a sizable piece of machinery is parked in the driveway in anticipation of the impending flattening. The structure itself looks to be in fair to poor shape -- not a justification of its razing, only an observation on its condition.

Curious of all is the graffiti-style message sprayed on an interior partition and visible from the street proclaiming: "Our first house". Word on the street is that this is a build to suit project. The current property owners will not only demolish this building but live in what will occupy the site. In case anyone is wondering, the new structure will be two stories of a style that remains unknown.

With any luck (slim chance) we'll not see a Tuscan-Franco stucco villa -- as are already present in this rapidly diminishing enclave of modernist architecture. Could the owners be visionaries and well versed in modernist tenets? Devoted followers of all things espoused upon in Dwell magazine? Sensitive to integration of new into existing?

Unlikely... but there's always a chance.

Visit the excellent "Arts & Architecture" site: http://www.artsandarchitecture.com/

Comprehensive search engine for architects as well.

"I would not be too hasty to quip about "air conditioning" domus48, as it would surprise you to know how few MCMs built in Houston until the late fifties had central a/c... "

Living in a late 1950's, flat roof home myself I am all too familiar with the dynamics of air conditioning layout. Your point is certainly a valid one and I would further that American society at large was substantially altered with the advent of air conditioning -- that's another topic all together. I believe you missed my point: I was merely referencing the fact that a ceiling fan was identified as a key feature, ergo electricity, doors, air conditioning could have also been cited as attributes.

Oh, I get it... the HAR listing is a parody.

It would be fun to write various alternative listing descriptions of this property but how could one top the "actual" listing. I mean, "ceiling fan" as an attribute?

The agent forget to mention the modern marvel of e-l-e-c-t-r-i-c-i-t-y.

And, special mention should have been given to the d-o-o-r-s and w-i-n-d-o-w-s...

wait, don't go yet... there's also a-i-r c-o-n-d-i-t-i-o-n-i-n-g.