Philip Johnson

[Montrose1100]

Didn't he design the Menil House?

[H-Town Man]

He did the main University of St. Thomas campus, which was his first work in Houston. He did the Marshall Field's store at the Galleria, which later became Lord & Taylor. He did a shopping center in Sugar Land.

[krix]

Didn't he design the Menil House?

Yes the house, but not the museum, which was designed by Renzo Piano.

[Montrose1100]

Yes the house, but not the museum, which was designed by Renzo Piano.

I thought so... I read it was his first work in Houston.

[Houston19514]

He did the main University of St. Thomas campus, which was his first work in Houston. He did the Marshall Field's store at the Galleria, which later became Lord & Taylor. He did a shopping center in Sugar Land.

The Galleria Marshall Field store became Sak's Fifth Ave.

Edited May 7, 2007 by Houston19514

[nmainguy]

The Menil house was his first work in Houston. Another later project was the College of Architecture at UH.

(This is a much more appropriate topic for an architectural forum than "Selected quotations from leading environmentalists" which really are out of context quotes from mostly obscure "environmentalists, pasted from an unemployed CAD programmers website. Talk about baiting.)

[Subdude]

Johnson has received his share of criticism for being derivative and a creature of fashion, but I think that in a career spanning so many years that is to some degree inevitable. Styles changed, and it was to be expected he would as well, but the down side is that you can never really look at a building and see the personal element that makes it a Johnson building. In a sense his own voice doesn't seem to come through.

In Houston we are really lucky to have some of his best work: Williams, Pennzoil, and One Post Oak, and perhaps to a lesser extent, BoA. To me, Pennzoil and One Post Oak earn the ultimate archictecture compliment: although they were built decades ago they still look fresh and sophisticated (I would say the same about Tenneco). St Thomas I like but wouldn't consider great. UH Architecture School is weaker still, although I wouldn't say he deserved the scorn he received for copying the design.

[H-Town Man]

The Galleria Marshall Field store became Sak's Fifth Ave.

It appears you're right.

The one in the center with the curved facade.

[editor]

Saks used to be on Post Oak and moved to the Galleria when Fields went away.

[texas911]

It wasn't a shopping center he did in Sugar Land, its was a speculative 3 story office building. I think he planned for three but they only built one. Didn't he also do the Rothko Chapel?

[nmainguy]

Didn't he also do the Rothko Chapel?

Ultimatly, no.

[houstonmacbro]

Didn't he also design Pennzoil?

[TheNiche]

Johnson has received his share of criticism for being derivative and a creature of fashion, but I think that in a career spanning so many years that is to some degree inevitable. Styles changed, and it was to be expected he would as well, but the down side is that you can never really look at a building and see the personal element that makes it a Johnson building. In a sense his own voice doesn't seem to come through.

In Houston we are really lucky to have some of his best work: Williams, Pennzoil, and One Post Oak, and perhaps to a lesser extent, BoA. To me, Pennzoil and One Post Oak earn the ultimate archictecture compliment: although they were built decades ago they still look fresh and sophisticated (I would say the same about Tenneco). St Thomas I like but wouldn't consider great. UH Architecture School is weaker still, although I wouldn't say he deserved the scorn he received for copying the design.

Good analysis. I agree completely.

[TexasArchitect]

Yes the house, but not the museum, which was designed by Renzo Piano.

ahhh yes, Renzo, he was one of my favorite architects while i was in college and still is

It's kind of ironic how Philip Johnson did the College of Architecture building at U of H, yet when i attended the college almost everyone i knew hated the building or shall i say they didn't like Philip Johnson calling him a "copycat", but then again no matter what u do one can never please everyone. there will always be someone who hates it.......

[Vertigo58]

My husband's office is on the top floor of one of the Pennzoil towers, with the slanted ceiling. I tell him he's lucky to work in a Philip Johnson building, but he just says it's too HOT! The downside of too many windows in Houston!

We used to have meetings up there on special occasions when we had important folks in town. Would see Mr James L. Pate dash in and out of his office. Fantastic views but hot and I wonder if they still have those beautiful rock formations from dig sites on pedestals through out?

This architect did good, I agree. Ahead of his time for sure.

[houstonmacbro]

Pennzoil is one of the few downtown Houston buildings I've never been inside.

[nativehou]

Pennzoil is one of the few downtown Houston buildings I've never been inside.

You've got to see it. The lobby is the best -- especially the round elevator shafts to the parking garage.

[H-Town Man]

Johnson has received his share of criticism for being derivative and a creature of fashion, but I think that in a career spanning so many years that is to some degree inevitable. Styles changed, and it was to be expected he would as well, but the down side is that you can never really look at a building and see the personal element that makes it a Johnson building. In a sense his own voice doesn't seem to come through.

Dramatic flair.

Think about it: the AT&T building with the Chippendale top, the "Lipstick" building, a Flemish Gothic skyscraper in Houston, TX, of all places, that little cloak effect on the Chapel of St. Basil, a Roman stage ("scaenae frons") from which to properly view his Transco tower - complete with cascading water, a Chicago skyscraper that resembles a demolished Masonic Temple (with gold leaf lobby), the list goes on....

He isn't the most serious 20th century architect - that honor goes to Mies; he isn't the most creative - that would be Frank Lloyd Wright; but he is the most whimsical.

[Subdude]

There's some truth in that. His miniature scale Greek Lake Pavillion is another example. And it help explains why he sometimes doesn't get a lot of respect: the "serious" architectural community isn't a great lover of whimsy.

[marc]

Johnson was very good for Houston. He gave Houston its easily recognizable skyline. Did he work alone or have partners? His designs are unique to say the least.

m.

[H-Town Man]

Johnson was very good for Houston. He gave Houston its easily recognizable skyline. Did he work alone or have partners? His designs are unique to say the least.

m.

He was partnered with John Burgee in the 70's and 80's. He also worked with Mies van der Rohe in the 50's, but I don't think they shared a practice.

[Vertigo58]

You've got to see it. The lobby is the best -- especially the round elevator shafts to the parking garage.

A few years ago when DT flooded there were great photos of the underground tunnels beneath Pzl Place. Since we worked there it was only distributed to employees. Absolutely bizarre. If you saw it now you would never know it was a river of fast running water like in a disaster film! Cool! Every store, restaurant etc was about 5 ft high of sludge. All the benches, plants just everything was swept into piles of debris. Now, they have thick steel doors to cut off in an emergency. Pzl place has been though so many renovations we couldnt keep up. IMO it seems quite dated now. Glad to not work there any more too! This place must have been the inspiration for "The Devil Wears Prada" (not going there)

[TxDave]

I love Pennzoil Place! I feel very fortunate to have been able to work there.

I think all of Johnson's work in Houston is stunning.

In Dallas on the other hand his efforts are much more underwhelming. Thanksgiving Square and the Kennedy Memorial are interesting pieces, while the Crescent Complex remains a significant landmark for the city although it remains architecturally questionable. The Bank One Tower (Momentum Place) was probably his most significant work in Dallas, but does not compare to works such as Pennzoil, Transco, or Bank of America in Houston.

Houston should be very proud.

[houstonmacbro]

while the Crescent Complex remains a significant landmark for the city although it remains architecturally questionable. The Bank One Tower (Momentum Place) was probably his most significant work in Dallas, but does not compare to works such as Pennzoil, Transco, or Bank of America in Houston.

Houston should be very proud.

I had no idea he did those buildings in Dallas. In fact, I always just assumed (wrongly) that he only did stuff here in Houston (money's money though right?). Anyhow, know of any other Texas city (like Austin, San Antonio, etc.) structures he designed?

[Subdude]

I love Pennzoil Place! I feel very fortunate to have been able to work there.

I think all of Johnson's work in Houston is stunning.

In Dallas on the other hand his efforts are much more underwhelming. Thanksgiving Square and the Kennedy Memorial are interesting pieces, while the Crescent Complex remains a significant landmark for the city although it remains architecturally questionable. The Bank One Tower (Momentum Place) was probably his most significant work in Dallas, but does not compare to works such as Pennzoil, Transco, or Bank of America in Houston.

Houston should be very proud.

As always with Johnson, quite the mixed bag. Momentum Place is nice and has an impressive interior. To me the Kennedy Memorial is awful - wasn't there some talk of replacing it with something not so oppressive? Even new the Crescent screamed "kitsch!" and looks very much dated 1985. Of course, Houston has its Johnson turkeys as well, eg. Rothko Chapel. That and the Kennedy Memorial both come off as souless and empty, which is odd given their intended purposes.

[H-Town Man]

I had no idea he did those buildings in Dallas. In fact, I always just assumed (wrongly) that he only did stuff here in Houston (money's money though right?). Anyhow, know of any other Texas city (like Austin, San Antonio, etc.) structures he designed?

There's a book called Philip Johnson and Texas that you may want to check out.

[TxDave]

There's a book called Philip Johnson and Texas that you may want to check out.

That is a great book - in fact it was the reference source for my previous post and opinion (perhaps I should have footnoted!)

[tony]

The park, southwest corner of S. Main and Holcombe, is, I believe, a Johnson/Burgee design. It was built in a corner of the old Shamrock property where the tennis courts once were. It's very nice but somewhat lost on the edge of the swirling TMC. Did Johnson have a hand in this?

[Subdude]

I couldn't find any reference to Johnson being involved in the design of that park, but that doesn't mean he wasn't. It is a pleasant enough park with a nice fountain that the TMC built as a sort of meaningless penance for destroying the Shamrock. On the rest of the site is a parking lot, garage, and one of the ugliest office buildings in the city.

[houstonmacbro]

Saw this on the Apple website today:

Philip Johnson: A Glass House Opens