SpaceAge

June Mod of the Month Houston Mod invites you to join us this Sunday, June 23, 2019 for a Mod of the Month open house event from 2 - 4 PM. Help us find new preservation-minded owners for these architect-designed vintage modern houses located about 9 and 14 miles west of downtown Houston. Thanks to Houston MODern Market for sponsoring this FREE event. The June event focuses on designs by lesser known Houston mid-century modernist architects. Two houses are open for touring and two are featured as drive-by status. 1123 Guinea Drive, Hilshire Village, Houston, Texas 77055 HAR Link | Google Map The floor plans are dated April 1959 for this upscale custom designed one-owner house located in desirable Hilshire Village. Sought after features such as gently sloped wood beamed ceilings, walls of glass, spherical hanging light fixtures, and pecky cypress siding along with a free-flowing design make this house a keeper. Of special note is the imaginatively designed attractive carport which can serve as a grand mod entertaining space. The site design has a number of well-chosen period elements. Architect David C. Strickler (1932 - 2018) designed the house. Strickler graduated with an architecture degree from Texas A & M University in 1955. For his own family, he designed a flat-roofed modern house located across the street from 1123 Guinea. His house has unfortunately been demolished. He designed a number of country clubs and show houses for developments around the Houston area. One of his NASA area designs was featured in Better Homes and Gardens Home Building Ideas publication in 1966. Another of his outstanding designs is the St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church located in Houston. 12609 Overcup Drive, Woodland Hollow, Houston, Texas 77024 HAR Link | Google Map Architects Wahlberg and Morales designed this imaginative 1959 modernistic house using concepts not often found in other houses of the era. It has two stories and a tall steep roof with an A-framed portion incorporating beams dramatically extending to the ground. A courtyard rich in materials and shapes welcomes you from the long driveway, opening wide past the double carport and flowing beneath a broad vine covered arbor. Paving and edging elements are varied and creative. Past the entry courtyard, the site design becomes progressively more relaxed with curving paths leading into the ravine area complete with a two-level playhouse which mimics the house design. There are a number of additional surprises with the biggest being the dramatic cathedral living area overlooking an expansive pool and wood deck extending deep into the sloped site. A floating brass-trimmed stairway, walls of brick and glass, cabinets, flooring and trim of redwood and many other special components complement the scene. Paul Wahlberg (1928 - 2010) and Richard Morales (1927 - 2012) were early 1950s graduates of Texas A & M. Whalberg was known for his reassuring nature and Morales for his graphic abilities. They designed a number of custom homes including a flat-roofed favorite in Glenbrook Valley featured on a past Houston Mod tour. By the 1970s, they focused mainly on multi-unit housing, eventually developing over 80,000 units in 23 states. . Featured Drive By Homes: 8006 Anadell Street Hilshire Village, Houston, Texas 77055 HAR Link | Google Map This one owner mod was designed by the homeowner and architect Warren A. Goulas (1928-2004) who lived next-door at 8010 Anadell Street, another house he designed and a MOTM in 2006. Goulas was a 1952 Texas A & M graduate. His work includes a bank in The Woodlands, 170 houses in Pasadena, and projects for SBISD. His son is also an architect and lives in the neighborhood. 8415 Burkhart Road Spring Valley, Houston, Texas 77055 HAR Link | Google Map This original owner house was designed by Frank S. McFaden, Jr.(1932-1994) for his family. Originally from Montgomery, Alabama, he was a 1954 graduate of Auburn University. He had his own firm in Houston until 1970 when he began working for a metal building components company. If you have additional information about these or other mod designs and architects, please inform Houston Mod so it can be preserved on the Houston Mod archive website. The Mod Squad will be on hand at Sunday's event to assist with membership and publication purchases. Memberships and publications make excellent gifts! Houston Mod's new publication, After Alden: Midcentury Architecture in Brazosport, Texas by Marty Merritt, with a forward by Stephen Fox and photography by Benjamin Hill, will be available at Sunday's event along with our other publications. Preservation Houston's History in Print program will hold a discussion on "After Alden" on Tuesday, June 25 at 6:30 PM at Proler Chapel, Congregation Emanu El, 1500 Sunset Blvd.. Free admission for Houston Mod and Preservation Houston members. Save the Date! July 20, 2019 is the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 first moon landing and moonwalk. Stay tuned for information on Houston Mod's special remembrance celebration. 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.

May Mod of the Month Houston Mod invites you to join us this Sunday, May 19, 2019 for a Mod of the Month open house event from 2 - 4 PM. Help us find new preservation-minded owners for these architect-designed vintage modern houses located about 10-12 miles west and southwest of downtown Houston. Thanks to Houston MODern Market for sponsoring this FREE event. Houston Mod spotlights the work of architect William Floyd who likely designed all three of this month's featured houses - one home will be open, two are featured for drive by only. Floyd designed hundreds of modern houses in scores of neighborhoods mainly in west and southwest Houston, the greatest concentration being in the area of the Memorial Bend neighborhood. Please visit the Memorial Bend website for more about William Norman Floyd. 12902 Traviata Drive, Memorial Bend, Houston, Texas 77024 HAR Link | Google Map The flat roof seems to float above this imaginatively designed 1956 vintage modern house due to the windows incorporated between the beams extending flush to the ceiling plane. A handsomely articulated brick street elevation provides privacy while walls of glass bring in the outside forested views from the back. The house is situated near excellent schools, dining, shopping and transportation opportunities. Featured Drive By Homes: 12315 Woodthorpe Lane Memorial Hollow, 77024 HAR Link | Google Map Homes of this style in Memorial Bend were designed by William Floyd. 6226 Birdwood Road Robindell, 77074 HAR Link | Google Map This house was likely designed by William Floyd and/or his associates Harwood Taylor and William Jenkins. The Mod Squad will be on hand at Sunday's event to assist with membership and publication purchases. Memberships and publications make excellent gifts! Houston Mod's new publication, After Alden: Midcentury Architecture in Brazosport, Texas by Marty Merritt, with a forward by Stephen Fox and photography by Benjamin Hill, is back in stock and will be available at Sunday's event along with our other publications. Save the Date! July 20, 2019 is the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 first moon landing and moonwalk. Stay tuned for information on Houston Mod's special remembrance celebration. 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.

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!