SpaceAge

April Mod of the Month Houston Mod invites you to join us this Sunday, April 14, 2019 for a Mod of the Month open house event from 2 - 4 PM. At mid-point in MODern Month, we hope you will help us find a new preservation-minded owner for this outstanding vintage modern house located three miles west of downtown Houston. Thanks to Houston MODern Market for sponsoring this FREE event. 2930 Lazy Lane Boulevard, River Oaks Homewoods, Houston, Texas 77019 HAR Link | Google Map The John F. Maher House was designed by the firm Howard Barnstone (1923-1987) and Partner (Eugene Aubry b 1935) in 1964 and slotted between Bayou Bend and the Hugo V. Neuhaus residence, along Buffalo Bayou in the prominent Homewoods section of the River Oaks neighborhood. Barnstone described the steel framed house as a p-a-l-a-c-e. Architectural historian Stephen Fox describes it as Barnstone's most assured project of the 1960s and says it's epic. Many of Barnstone's buildings are threatened and others have been lost. Finding a preservation-minded owner for this house will allow it to remain one of Houston's most prominent architectural landmarks. Stephen Fox will give a talk about the house and about his soon to be released publication about the architecture of Howard Barnstone during the April Mod of the Month event. You may read a previous article on Barnstone by Stephen Fox in Cite Magazine, Fall 1987. The Mod Squad will be on hand at Sunday's event to assist with membership and publication purchases. Memberships and publications make excellent gifts! About Houston Mod & Mod of the Month Houston Mod is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to promoting knowledge and appreciation of modern architecture and design in Houston and Texas. Houston Mod advocates the preservation of this cultural legacy and seeks support from its members and the general public in achieving this goal. The Mod of the Month (MOTM) program, launched in 2006, was devised to promote the preservation of modern buildings by educating the public of their architectural and cultural importance in an attempt to show the buildings as desirable to a next generation of owners. The program received a Good Brick Award from Preservation Houston in 2009 and continues its important mission. MOTM's promote the preservation of Mid Century Modern architecture during a time when the properties are most vulnerable - when they are placed for sale. The value embodied within modern properties often goes unseen by the public and real estate agent who may list the property as a candidate for demolition or contemporary renovation. The original design concept, architect, and owners of modern homes are important, and provide both a quality space and history desired by many home seekers. Modern is historic? Yes! Properties that are at least 50 years old may be considered for historic designation by national, state, and local preservation programs. Most of the featured Mod of the Month homes are eligible for designation at the local level, many also at the state and/or national level. The City of Houston offers tax exemptions to owners for appropriate work conducted to improve locally designated historic homes. For more information on designating a modern property, contact the City of Houston Historic Preservation Office, or email Houston Mod at info@houstonmod.org. MODern Month Continues! MODern Month April 2019 continues with an AIA Houston Urban Art Walking Tour, Preservation Houston Victor Lundy book talk, Jones Hall concert, AIA Houston Historic Resources Committee Speaker Series, Miller Outdoor Theater concert, RDA Architecture Tour, Eames film screening, and much more. We hope you will all join us on Thursday, April 25 at 6 p.m. for the Houston Mod MODern Month Celebration at Design Within Reach. Marty Merritt will give a brief talk on his new book, After Alden: Midcentury Architecture in Brazosport, Texas. We have temporarily sold out of the publication online, but more will available at the event. Click the image below to download the complete MODern Month calendar of events PDF.

March Mod of the Month Houston Mod invites you to join us this Sunday, March 17, 2019 for a Mod of the Month open house event from 2 - 4 PM. Please help Houston Mod find a new preservation-minded owner for this vintage modern house in the Glenbrook Valley Historic District, located approximately 8 miles southeast of downtown Houston. Thanks to Houston MODern Market for sponsoring this FREE event. 8015 Glenforest Court, Glenbrook Valley, Houston, TX 77061 HAR Link | Google Map Last month's Mod of the Month house was the home of a NASA astronaut - the Space Age theme continues with the marvelous Sputnik House as the focus of the March event. The house was built in 1957, the same year as the launch of the world's first space satellite called Sputnik, which so captivated the period that the original owner put into orbit a replica floating above the front door. The Sputnik fixture is sensational as is the rest of the custom built house complete with sought after features like poured terrazzo floors, brick interior walls, pecky cypress siding, loads of custom cabinets and shelving, colorful original light fixtures, a handsome brick fireplace wall, baths with sparkling original ceramic tile, and glass sliding doors leading to a spacious patio and back yard. The house is prominently situated along a sweeping curve on a street of attractive mid-century era houses in the Glenbrook Valley neighborhood. In 2011, after a three year struggle, the neighborhood of 1,256 houses was designated the city's first historic district outside of the loop 610 freeway and is believed to be the largest mid-century era residential historic district in the United States. It is within Harris County and served by the Houston Independent School District. If you have more information about this, or other vintage modern houses and/or architects, please contact Houston Mod so we can include it in our Modern Houston Index on our soon to premier new website. In Other News April is MODern Month in Texas! This is the 10th annual celebration. The calendar will be available soon. If you are aware of an event focusing on modern design, please inform Houston Mod so it can be included. Look for a kickoff event at the first of the month. Modern Month brings attention to the importance of protecting modern architecture and design in Houston and Texas. Houston Mod publications and membershipsmake great gifts and are available online and at events. Our most recent publication, Constructing Houston's Future, The Architecture of Arthur Evan Jones & Lloyd Morgan Jones, by Ben Koush is our gift to you for joining or renewing at the benefactor level or above. Look for our upcoming publication release titled After Alden about vintage modern architecture in the Brazosport-Lake Jackson area, available in April. Houston Mod is a friend organization of Docomomo US. Visit Docomomo US Latest News to keep up to date on the latest news on modernism celebration and advocacy efforts going on across the country. We hope you'll join us at Mod of the Month!

Sorry our posts don't seem to come through very well on the new HAIF.

February Mod of the Month Houston Mod invites you to join us this Sunday, February 24, 2019 for a Mod of the Month open house event from 2 - 4 PM. Please join us for an open-house event to help find a new preservation-minded owner for this vintage modern house in the Bayou Bend neighborhood of Dickinson located approximately 29 miles south of downtown Houston. Thanks to Houston MODern Market for sponsoring this FREE event. 221 West Bayou Drive, Dickinson, Texas 77539 HAR Link | Google Map This true space age mod, built in 1962 for the NASA Director of Engineering & Development, is situated on 1.4 waterfront acres along picturesque Dickinson Bayou. The property has recently been thoughtfully restored and updated by the daughter of the original owners. The approach to the house is made by a sweeping circular drive leading to a spacious covered porch complemented by an open screen block wall, large spherical hanging light fixture, and a double-door entrance surrounded by glass. The entry sequence continues through an ample brick-walled foyer opening wide to the family room with high beamed ceiling and three walls of glass viewing the swimming pool and treed bayou-scape complete with dock. Four bedrooms, 4-1/2 baths, fully stocked mother-in-law apartment, and many more additional features complete the scene. The house was built for Maxime A. Faget (pronounced fa-jay) who came to the area in 1961. He designed the Mercury spacecraft and contributed to the design of the Gemini and Apollo spacecraft as well as the Space Shuttle. Bayou Bend is a subdivision of 59 properties located in Galveston County and served by the Dickinson Independent School District. Another Mod of Interest: This house on Oleander Drive will also be open on Sunday, 2 - 5 PM, and is only a few miles away from the Mod of the Month. 1701 Oleander Drive, Dickinson, Texas, 77539 HAR Link | Google Map If you have more information about these, or other vintage modern houses and/or architects, please contact Houston Mod so we can include it in our Modern Houston Index on our soon to premier new website. News & Upcoming Mod-ness April is Modern Month in Texas! This is the 10th annual celebration. If you know of an event focusing on modern design, please inform Houston Mod so it can be included on the event roster. Look for a kickoff event at the first of the month. Modern Month brings attention to the importance of protecting modern architecture and design in Houston and Texas. Special thanks to architectural historian Stephen Fox for guiding a marvelous two day tour of Corpus Christi past weekend. The excitement was so great over all there is to see that the list of things to see next time is already being compiled. Thanks to everyone who participated! We welcome your thoughts on the next mod tour at info@houstonmod.org Houston Mod publications and memberships make great gifts and are available online and at events. Our most recent publication, Constructing Houston's Future, The Architecture of Arthur Evan Jones & Lloyd Morgan Jones, by Ben Koush is our gift to you for joining or renewing at the benefactor level or above. Look for our upcoming publication release about modernism in the Brazosport-Lake Jackson area very soon. Houston Mod is a friend organization of Docomomo US. Visit Docomomo US Latest News to keep up to date on the latest news on modernism celebration and advocacy efforts going on across the country Visit their Latest News (click) to keep informed on additional modern preservation issues.

Sorry for the delayed post. HAIF was offline when this took place. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- December Mod of the Month Houston Mod invites you to join us Sunday, December 30, 2018 for a Mod of the Month open house event from 2 - 4 PM. Please join us for an open house to help find the perfect tenants for this vintage modern house for lease in the Parkwest neighborhood, located approximately 10 miles southwest of downtown Houston. Thanks to Houston MODern Market for sponsoring this FREE event. 10911 Rampart Street, Houston, TX 77096 HAR Link | Google Map This feature-packed 1959 vintage contemporary house was custom built by the parents of its current owner who has respectfully refreshed it to sparkle once again. The design responds to the corner location providing entrances within brick walled courtyards from both streets. Each entry courtyard features perforated brick walls and illuminated landscape features. The U-shaped plan yields a central patio, accessible from several rooms, viewed through an expansive array of plate glass windows in the den. Many original features remain including light fixtures, wood cabinetry and terrazzo floor. The original kitchen has been revived with sensational turquoise-colored retro appliances. Parkwest is a deed-restricted community within the City of Houston and is served by the HISD. There are 956 houses with a median size of 2,200 SF and median 1960 construction date. Several vintage contemporary style houses are generally located on each block. Another Mod of Interest: This home on Sandpiper Drive in the Larkwood neighborhood, located only a few miles from the Parkwest Mod of the Month. The house was featured as a Mod of the Month in 2014, and once again is in need of a mod-minded new owner. See it on Saturday, December 29, 10 AM – 1 PM at an open house hosted by the listing agent, or drive-by Sunday after visiting the Mod of the Month. 8901 Sandpiper Drive, Houston, Texas, 77074 HAR Link | Google Map If you have more information about these, or other vintage modern houses and/or architects, please contact Houston Mod so we can include it in our Modern Houston Index on our soon to premier new website. Houston Mod publications and memberships make great gifts and are available online and at events. Our most recent publication, Constructing Houston's Future, The Architecture of Arthur Evan Jones & Lloyd Morgan Jones, by Ben Koush is our gift to you for joining or renewing at the benefactor level or above. Save the Date! Noted architectural historian and Master Mod Stephen Fox is planning the third segment of a mod tour of Texas, this time covering the Corpus Christi area planned for February 15 - 16, 2019. More information will be made available soon.

November Mod of the Month Houston Mod invites you to join us this Sunday, November 18, 2018, for a Mod of the Month open house event from 2 - 4 PM. Help us find a new preservation-minded owner for this vintage modern house located in the Parkwest neighborhood, about 10 miles southwest of downtown Houston. Thanks to Houston MODern Market for sponsoring this FREE event. 6027 Cartagena Street, Houston, TX 77024 HAR Link | Google Map Located about two miles outside the loop in the attractive Parkwest neighborhood, this nifty vintage contemporary style house has been carefully preserved and thoughtfully updated. The sensible flow of the original 1960 layout has been preserved yet freshened and refinished to sparkle once again. Note the broad glass expanse with views to the beamed patio. The den features a raised ceiling, and the kitchen's flush-front cabinetry has been renewed. Parkwest is a deed-restricted community within the City of Houston and is served by the HISD. There are 956 houses with a median size of 2,200 SF and median 1960 construction date. Several vintage contemporary style houses are generally located on each block. Other Mods of Interest: 5134 Braes Heather Drive in Meyerland is OPEN 12-2 on Saturday, November, 17 and said to have been designed by the same architect who designed the Astrodome! Note the vintage drawings shown in the listing. 4614 N. Roseneath Drive in Riverside Terrace is a large, well maintained early modern house, yet it is being promoted as a dream home construction site. If you have more information about these or other vintage modern homes and architects please contact Houston Mod so we can include it in our Modern Houston Index on our soon to premier all new website. We hope you will join us at Mod of the Month! News & Updates For those of you who braved the cold weather this past Tuesday evening, we hope you enjoyed the book launch event co-sponsored by Houston Mod at Pennzoil Place. Author Mark Lamster addressed questions provided by Stephen Fox. "The Man in the Glass House: Philip Johnson, Architect of the Modern Century" is available at Brazos Bookstore, as well as at several online bookstore outlets. Members, be on the lookout for your invitation to Houston Mod's greatly anticipated 2018 Holiday Party on December 8th at a spectacular 1959 vintage modern house in the Ayrshire neighborhood. Contact Houston Mod to check your membership status. The Mod Squad will be on hand at Sunday's MOTM event to assist with membership and publication purchases. Our newest publication, Constructing Houston's Future: The Architecture of Arthur Evans Jones by Ben Koush, is now available. Houston Mod memberships and publications make excellent gifts!

October Mod of the Month Sunday, October 14, 2018 1:00 - 2:00 PM Special Members Only Talk - 2:00 - 4:00 PM Public Open House Houston Mod Members: Members, please join us at 1:00 PM for a talk by Barbara McKittrick, wife of the late architect, who will discuss her husband's career; aspects of living in this mod home; and other mod houses in the neighborhood. Special snacks and refreshments will be served. All Others: All are welcome to join us from 2:00 to 4:00 PM to help us find a new preservation-minded owner for this vintage modern house located in Hilshire Village, about 9 miles west of downtown. 1111 Guinea Drive, Hilshire Village, Houston, Texas 77055 HAR Link | Google Map The enduring value of good design is evident in this 1964 house architect Tom McKittrick designed for his own family in the small city of Hilshire Village. Floor to ceiling glass joins brick planes at decked patio spaces, blurring the bounds of indoors and out. Spaces are ample and flow freely across the original poured terrazzo floor beneath the flat-roofed structure which has been maintained by the architect's family as he envisioned. The compound also includes a 1970 studio/guest house with a spectacular double volume central space and loft. The house was featured in a 1966 Better Homes and Gardens publication. Thomas Lamar McKittrick (1934 - 2013) was born and raised in Houston and graduated from Rice Institute in 1957 with an architecture degree. After serving in the Navy he became a registered architect in 1963 and co-established the firm originally known as McKittrick Drennan & Richardson, which specialized in the design of schools and pioneered energy efficient sustainable design. Later, he earned his Master of Architecture degree at Texas A & M University where he also taught design studios, eventually became a full professor, Graduate Program Coordinator, and interim Department Head. McKittrick was a Fellow in the AIA and served as AIA Houston President, Texas Society of Architects President, and national AIA Vice President. He also served as Mayor of Hilshire Village. Thanks to Houston MODern Market for sponsoring this MOTM event. The Mod Squad will be on hand at Sunday's event to assist with membership and publication purchases. Our newest publication, Constructing Houston's Future: The Architecture of Arthur Evans Jones by Ben Koush, is now available. Houston Mod publications and memberships make excellent gifts. We hope to see you at Mod of the Month! Other Upcoming Events: Saturday, October 13: Houston Mod Tours Endangered Jones Hall and Tranquility Park, Docomomo National Tour Day 2018 Thursday, October 16: Preservation Houston 40th Anniversary Panel, open to Preservation Houston members Weekend of October 20-21: AIA Home Tour Monday, October 22: Architecture Center Houston & Design Council 2018 Sally Walsh Lecture “What Inspires” Monday, October 22: Rice Design Alliance Fall Lecture Series Sharing with Jack Self Weekend of October 27-28: Preservation Houston Good Brick Tour Tuesday, October 30: Lecture & Book Signing “Victor Lundy: Artist Architect” by Donna Kacmar November 6-16: 2018 ArCH Film Festival, special opening celebration on Wednesday, November 7

Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts and Tranquillity Park Walking Tour Saturday, October 13, 2018, 2 - 4 PM Docomomo US Tour Day 2018, Public Spaces - Inside and Out You are invited to join Houston Mod for a special walking tour in downtown Houston of the Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts designed by Caudill Rowlett Scott, 1966, and Tranquillity Park designed by Charles Tapley Associates, 1979. Small groups will be lead through Tranquillity Park, and around and inside Jones Hall with special access to behind the scenes areas. The tour will include a discussion on the historic significance of the spaces, the important role they have played in Houston's civic life, and future renovation plans. The event is part of Docomomo US Tour Day, an annual celebration of modern architecture and design where participants across the country simultaneously tour local modern sites. Tour Day includes over 50 tours in over 30 cities hosted by Docomomo US regional chapters and friends organizations. The theme for Tour Day 2018 is Public Spaces - Inside and Out. Houston Mod members and non-members are welcome to attend. Members were offered first chance to reserve tickets, but on Thursday, October 11 at 9 a.m. anyone may register for the event. Registration is required, so please sign up if you are interested! The event is free; a $10 suggested donation may be made if you feel so inclined. Professional AIA participants will earn 2 HSW learning units for attending. Share the tour with friends at the Facebook event page. Email info@houstonmod.org with any questions.

August Mod of the Month Houston Mod invites you to join us this Sunday, August 26, 2018 for a Mod of the Month open house event from 2 - 4 PM. Help us find new preservation-minded owners for these vintage modern houses located in Briar Hollow, located about 5 miles west of downtown Houston. Briar Hollow, originally an outpost of country estates and recreational facilities for center-city Houstonians, underwent rapid change as the West Loop 610 freeway was planned and constructed. Land use changed to a mix of offices and mostly more compact housing styles. It has remained a prime location, continuing to increase in density and value. Thanks to Houston MODern Market for sponsoring this FREE event. 45 Briar Hollow Lane, #11, Houston, Texas 77027 HAR Link | Google Map 45 Briar Hollow, an extremely handsome group of townhouses designed by architect Lars Bang, created a sensation with the in-crowd of mid-1970's Houston. People still talk about the then unheard-of three level living, complete with clear Lucite elevators, and the unique interiors and exteriors of every unit. The structure is impressive, consisting of a base level hugging the edge of a steep slope where an ample drive and garages are located. The superstructure consists of 12 units with a central pedestrian promenade linking to the expansive wooded ravine beyond. Each unit opens to the lush views and terraced pool area complete with mostly original elements. Lars W. Bang (1921-2007) grew up in the Houston Heights. Of Danish descent, his father was an engineer and designer. After serving in the Air Corps in World War 2, Bang graduated from the University of Houston architecture program in 1950 where Donald Barthelme and Howard Barnstone were two of his instructors. He was known for his bold and dynamic design skills and even before graduation, secretly worked for older architects who were not well versed in modern design. As a student he also worked for the progressive architect Phillip Willard where he and classmate Lucian Hood were in charge of the design office which employed a number of other talented UH students. Soon after, he partnered with Lucian Hood, designing and building several large buildings for the real estate developer Kenneth Schnitzer. Later Bang established his own firm. He designed the original Tony's Restauraunt, still considered Houston's finest, where Bang was known to have a table where many clients were impressed with his design skills and charming personality. His later projects consisted mainly of commercial developments. Important Additional Drive-Bys on Briar Hollow Lane: Both of these mods are extremely endangered, yet are among the finest examples of modern architecture in Houston. Please spread the word about these important houses in need of preservation-minded new owners. 61 Briar Hollow Lane (1960) by Bolton and Barnstone - one of Houston's most important and sensational modern houses. 62 Briar Hollow Lane (1960) by Wilson, Morris Crane and Anderson - another top design.

July Mod of the Month Houston Mod invites you to join us Sunday, July 22, 2018 for a Mod of the Month open house event from 2 - 4 PM. Help us find a new preservation-minded owner for this vintage modern house located in Katy, about 27 miles west of downtown Houston. Thanks to Houston MODern Market for sponsoring this FREE event. 1002 East Avenue, Katy, Texas 77493 HAR Link | Google Map "Contemporary Country" was the term favored by architect Wylie Vale for the style he perfected and employed for the Arthur & Madalyn Miller house, built near downtown Katy in the early 1950's. Miller was a long-time mayor and civic leader of Katy. Still prized elements of expansive windows, deep roof overhangs, natural stone walls, floors and fireplace, and fine woods enrich the design. The house has been thoughtfully preserved, keeping with the architects vision. Wylie Walker Vale (1913-2013) was from Missouri, moving to Houston as a teen. In 1939 he graduated from Rice Institute with a degree in architecture. After serving in World War II, he opened his own office often working with his wife Alliene who was an interior designer. They designed over 400 mostly upscale houses, often located in River Oaks and the Memorial areas of Houston. He also designed approximately 100 schools and 50 churches. Additional discoveries of his work are discussed on the Houston Mod page at the Houston Architecture Information Forum where an interview with Vale is also included. Vale's work is archived at the Woodson Research Center at Rice University. If you have more information about vintage modern designs or architects please contact Houston Mod so we can include it in our Modern Houston Index on our soon to premier all new website. We hope you will join us at Mod of the Month! News & Updates Landmark Pasadena skyscraper published in Architectural Forum in 1964 nears demolition. Read the Chronicle article covering the lawsuit filed by the City of Pasadena against the current owners of the former First Pasadena State Bank. Contact Pasadena officials to encourage preservation. Houston Mod Master Mod Robert P. Searcy will present the talk Glenbrook Valley: Houston's Mid-Century Modern Subdivision on Monday, July 30, 2018, 6 PM, at the Julia Ideson Library auditorium, 500 McKinney Avenue, Free Parking, additional information available by calling 713-622-5578 The Mod Squad will be on hand at Sunday's event to assist with membership and publication purchases. Our newest publication, Constructing Houston's Future: The Architecture of Arthur Evans Jones by Ben Koush, is now available. The next book talk and signing event with the author will be at Brazos Bookstore, on Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 7:00 pm. More details to follow closer to the event date.

Architects use Ram windows. Good news the 9110 Bassoon house is being saved! It seems to be having all the windows replaced with Ram products. Of course the best thing would have been to keep all the original windows in place. They can be cleaned and sealed to perform as new. Vinyl windows seem to ruin the looks of any house. They have the thick glossy plastic looking frames, far wider than the original windows, which reduces the glass area by 20-30%. They have to make the frames so wide because the vinyl is very flimsy.

June Mod of the Month Houston Mod invites you to join us this Sunday, June 24, 2018 for a Mod of the Month open house event from 2 - 4 PM. Help us find a new preservation-minded owner for this vintage modern house located in Houston’s Woodshire neighborhood, located about seven miles southwest of downtown. Thanks to Houston MODern Market for sponsoring this FREE event. 4106 Mischire Drive, Woodshire, Houston, Texas 77025 HAR Link | Google Map Attention to detail - this nifty 1956 mod has had a lot resulting in an inspiring neighborhood asset. Sought-after vintage design elements like cut stone walls, planter box and poured terrazzo floors were preserved while other systems were renewed. Also note the awesome curved serving bar in the den with corresponding curved upper cabinet complete with textured glass panels. The neighborhood contains a number of attractive vintage houses, several featured as past Mod of the Months. Two additional houses deserving attention: 12507 Winding Brook Lane, Houston, Texas, 77024 7722 Braeburn Valley Drive, Houston, Texas 77074 If you have more information about these houses, architects, or others in the area please inform Houston Mod so we can include it in our Modern Houston Index on our soon to premier all new website. We hope you will join us at Mod of the Month! News & Updates The Mod Squad will be on hand at Sunday's event to assist with membership and publication purchases. Our newest publication, Constructing Houston's Future: The Architecture of Arthur Evans Jones by Ben Koush, is now available. The next book talk and signing event with the author will be at Brazos Bookstore, on Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 7:00 pm. More details to follow closer to the event date.

April Mod of the Month Houston Mod invites you to join us this Sunday, April 29, 2018 for a Mod of the Month open house event from 2 - 4 PM. As MODern Month 2018 approaches conclusion, we hope you will help us find a new preservation-minded owner for this vintage modern townhouse located in Houston’s West End neighborhood, about 2 miles west of downtown. Thanks to Houston MODern Market for sponsoring this FREE event. 4324 Floyd Street, Magnolia Grove, Houston, Texas 77007 HAR Link | Google Map Taft Architects designed the Grove Court Townhouses in 1979, early in the area’s transformation from single-family cottages to compacted stacked townhouses. Grove Court is unique for its well-considered planning incorporating a grouped setting organized by a series of walls defining both interior and exterior spaces. Each of the six units can be accessed from the front street side court or the rear garages situated along a private driveway. The structured front court leads to the front doors (originally fitted with nifty large port-hole windows) as well as to a shaded semi-private court and then progresses to a large private court yard, all organized along a central axis. The interiors are open and loft-like, the likes seldom seen in Houston for 10-20 years past this construction date. Grove Court Townhouses received the following awards: American Institute of Architects (AIA) Merit Award, 1981 Architectural Record Apartments Award, 1981 Texas Society of Architects Honor Award, 1981 Houston AIA Honor Award, 1981 Taft Architects was founded in 1972 by John J Casbarian, Danny M. Samuels and Robert H. Timme (d 2005) and is an internationally recognized, award winning Houston-based architecture firm. Until 1995, all projects were produced together by the three partners. The remaining partners work together equally on all projects. Both are also involved in the School of Architecture at Rice University. If you have more information about these houses, architects, or others in the area please inform Houston Mod so we can include it in our Modern Houston Index on our soon to premier all new website. News & Updates MODern Month 2018 is almost over but there are still a few final opportunities to celebrate, including the second April Mod of the Month event this Sunday; the John Chase exhibition open through June 2; and by enjoying a concert at Jones Hall, an endangered modern landmark, where the Houston Symphony will perform music from Stanley Kubrick’s 2001, A Space Odyssey. Concert times available this Saturday and Sunday, ticket prices start at $23.00. Download the MODern Month roster for more information. The Mod Squad will be on hand at Sunday's event to assist with membership and publication purchases. Our newest publication, Constructing Houston's Future: The Architecture of Arthur Evans Jones by Ben Koush, is now available. Memberships and publications make excellent gifts! We hope to see you at Mod of the Month!

April Mod of the Month Houston Mod invites you to join us this Sunday, April 15, 2018 for a Mod of the Month open house event from 2 - 4 PM. Now at the mid point in MODern Month, we hope you will help us find new preservation-minded owners for these vintage modern houses located in southwest Houston , about 7 and 10 miles from downtown. Thanks to Houston MODern Market for sponsoring this FREE event. 4127 Drummond Street, Ayrshire, Houston, Texas 77025 HAR Link | Google Map This meticulously maintained vintage modern house is situated on a shady suburban cul de sac containing other well designed vintage modern houses, some by architects that worked together in varying arrangements for many years. 4127 Drummond was designed circa 1953 by the firm of Philip G. Willard (1913-1993) and Lucian T. Hood, Jr. (1916-2001). The house is modern yet remains warm and inviting due to the use of wood floors and ceilings, a magnificent stone fireplace, indirect lighting, and expansive windows opening to a spacious lawn and pool terrace. Philip Willard started his career in Fort Worth but moved to Houston around 1946 and opened his own firm. Shortly after he hired Lucian Hood, and several other top UH architecture students, who stayed with the firm after graduation. Willard was an active business developer and the firm designed over 1,000 houses (many unbuilt) in this early period. Willard was also involved with a ceramic building system he employed on many of their designs. Lucian Hood went on to work with Lars Bang, then started his own firm where he designed apartment complexes, car dealerships, and an abundance of mostly large-scale houses. He was extremely skilled in his graphic communications and drawing packages that may be considered works of art. As styles changed, his designs became more traditional. Unfortunately, many of his most spectacular modern designs have been demolished and many design records lost. The later portions of his archive are now secure at the University of Houston, having been donated by William Carl, facilitated by Houston Mod. 5702 Warm Springs, Westbury, Houston, Texas 77035 HAR Link | Google Map Design symmetry is explored in this unique flat-roofed vintage modern house built in the Westbury neighborhood for the 1959 Parade of Homes by the Houston Home Builders Research Corporation. The design was inspired by survey results of what home buyers wanted in a new home. The house has an impressive double door front entrance leading to a spacious foyer with an original floor to ceiling ceramic tile mural. The fantastic kitchen, suitable for the most stylish of mid-century TV shows, is the focal point to which the living spaces are organized. The house was designed by Knostman & Webster who were in charge of the architectural committee for the 1959 Parade of Homes and designed two additional houses in the show. More Mods of Interest Available in the Area 2527 Glen Haven Boulevard, Braeswood, 77030 - Drive-by, agent happy to show with appointment 5235 Kingfisher Drive, Westbury, 77035 - Drive-by If you have more information about these houses, architects, or others in the area, please inform Houston Mod so we can include it in our Modern Houston Index on our soon to premier all new website. We hope to see you at Mod of the Month! News & Updates MODern Month April 2018 continues with weekly museum tours, nightly light and sound show at Rice, daily John Chase exhibition, Menil art talk, film screening, architecture walking tour, a building tour, Rothko talk, and a Jones Hall concert. Download the MODern Month roster for more information. The Mod Squad will be on hand at Sunday's event to assist with membership and publication purchases. Our newest publication, Constructing Houston's Future: The Architecture of Arthur Evans Jones by Ben Koush, is now available. Memberships and publications make excellent gifts! About Houston Mod & Mod of the Month Houston Mod is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to promoting knowledge and appreciation of modern architecture and design in Houston and Texas. Houston Mod advocates the preservation of this cultural legacy and seeks support from its members and the general public in achieving this goal. The Mod of the Month program, launched in 2006, was devised to promote the preservation of modern buildings by educating the public of their architectural and cultural importance in an attempt to show the buildings as desirable to a next generation of owners. The program received a Good Brick Award from Preservation Houston in 2009 and continues its important mission. The MOTM program promotes the preservation of Mid Century Modern (MCM) architecture during a time when the properties are most vulnerable - when they are placed for sale. The value embodied within MCM properties often goes unseen by the ordinary citizen and real estate agent who may list the property as a candidate for demolition or contemporary renovation. The original design concept, architect, and owners of modern homes are important, and provide both a quality space and history desired by many home seekers. Modern is historic? Yes! Properties that are at least 50 years old may be considered for historic designation by national, state, and local preservation programs. Most of the featured Mod of the Month homes are eligible for designation at the local level, many also at the state and/or national level. The City of Houston offers tax exemptions to owners for appropriate work conducted to improve locally designated historic homes. For more information on designating a modern property, contact the City of Houston Historic Preservation Office, or email Houston Mod at info@houstonmod.org.

January Mod of the Month Houston Mod invites you to join us this Sunday, January 28, 2018 for a Mod of the Month open house event from 2 - 4 PM. Please help us find a new preservation-minded owner for a vintage modern house located in Sharpstown, about 10 miles southwest of downtown Houston. Thanks to Houston MODern Market for sponsoring this FREE event. 7210 Mobud Drive, Sharpstown, Section 2, Houston, Texas 77074 HAR Link | Google Map A nifty mod in close to original condition is an exciting find. This one is complete with desired features like high sloped beamed ceilings, clearstory windows, wood floors and colorful tiled baths. A sliding glass door opens to a wood deck and spacious back yard. Sharpstown is a master planned new town most known for its neighborhoods of well-built attractive homes. Recent publications have proclaimed Sharpstown as Houston's Best Hidden Neighborhood and one of the Hottest Neighborhoods in Houston. If you have more information about this house or others in the area, please inform Houston Mod so we can include it in our Modern Houston Index on our website. Look for an all new HoustonMod.org website coming soon! The Mod Squad will be on hand at Sunday's event to assist with membership and publication purchases. The new Houston Mod publication, Constructing Houston's Future: The Architecture of Arthur Evans Jones by Ben Koush, is now available. We hope to see you at Mod of the Month!