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sdmarc

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Posts posted by sdmarc

  1. Mr. Lee worked for MacKie and Kamrath for a brief 3-4 year period.   This house exhibits many of the details he would have learned while in their employ.  It's remarkable how many of the details carried over, considering this house was designed some 20+ years later.  Lee went on to be an architect of primarily reinforced concrete warehosue structures.

  2. Does anyone have any information on Lewis S. Maguire who was an architect - engineer who designed and built at least one mod in Glenbrook Valley in 1957. On the original plans for the house, his office address was 4211 Leeland.

    Lewis S. Maguire also designed Sam Rayburn High School in Pasadena, a Wright-influenced building with lots of horizontal lines, in 1964.

    The 1962 AIA directory lists his principal works as elementary schools: Pomeroy, Jackson (Jr High) and Williams in Pasadena. Hambrick Jr High in Houston.

  3. Hi all,

    I will post more info about the William R. Jenkins home tour here in the near future, but I just wanted to start the thread now to tell you all to make sure you save the date. If you've been missing my presence on the boards lately, this is why. I've been pretty consumed with this tour and book.

    Here are the basics:

    On April 25th, during the Lawndale Modern Market, Houston Mod will be renting a bus and driving to many of William R. Jenkins early houses. Some of these houses will be open for the first time. Some will be open for the first time in years. Some will be exterior tours and some will be interior. The tour will last about 3 hours. Refreshments will be served at the final home on the tour (10920 Willowisp).

    A full color publication discussing Jenkins and the houses (with new photographs by Benjamin Hill) will be available for $15.

    Tour:

    Member price = $20

    Non-Member price = $30

    Join Houston Mod at the individual rate, get the book and take the tour = $60

    Payments will be accepted through paypal or by cash or credit at our functions leading up to the date. Space will be limited so make sure you reserve your spots by emailing info@houstonmod.org.

    I'm hoping for full participation from each and every one of you!

    Jason

    Today.

  4. Historic "Formica House" Wins Preservation Support

    Grant from Formica Corporation Could Aid New Owner in Restoration

    The Formica Corporation and Houston Mod announce a joint effort to assist in the preservation of Houston's historic "Formica House". In partnership with Houston Mod, the Formica Corporation has generously offered to donate up to $5,000 in laminate materials to a new owner that commits to an appropriate restoration of the house.

    "With an increased interest in mid-century architecture and design, the Formica Corporation is seeing renewed appreciation for the creative uses of laminate surfaces" said Ren

  5. Cool house.

    Appears the original owner was a local physician.

    From the web: Dr. Gildenberg practices Neurosurgery in Houston, Texas. Dr. Gildenberg graduated from the Temple University School Of Med Philadelphia with an MD and has been in the profession for 48 years.

  6. The story I heard was O'Quinn bought this house for the use of one of his employees, the caretaker of his car collection.

    There used to be nice cars parked out front frequently.

    The guy lived in the house until it was discovered that he was embezzling money from O'Quinn's coffers. There was a messy trial, etc. Sometime after the guy went to jail and while the house sat empty, the roof failed.

    Apparently the failure was in many areas and went un-noticed for months. By then, the damage was done.

    It will be really sad to see this one go. It's truly a phenomenal house.

  7. The grand piano pool sits behind a dentist's office. I believe the dentist lived in the big house and had his office adjacent in the building immediately above the pool. Maybe he was a Liberace fan? :rolleyes:

    I think both the office and the house are currently vacant.

    The whole parcel was listed for sale recently, perhaps for multi-family development like townhomes or condos.

  8. I went today to take some pictures of this gem. I encourage everyone to go for a look and a walk around the perimeter before it is gone. Buildings like this one come along so rarely.

    Pasadena will not be the same without it. It's probably the only decent building in the town. I'm sure there is a story behind its construction - enlightened management of the bank providing an architectural gift to the local city or something of the sort.

    The exterior details are well worth the extra attention. Note the 1963 plaque near the entrance with the names of the architects in a little square...very Frank Lloyd Wright. I wish I could get inside to see the spaces within!

    Go now, before its gone! :(

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