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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.