dbigtex56 Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Just checked this out from the library:Houston deco : modernistic architecture of the Texas coast / by Jim Parsons & David Bush ; foreword by Madeleine McDermott Hamm. 2008Features many of HAIF's favorites here in Houston, along with others in Beaumont, Baytown, Galveston and surrounding communities. The photographs are breathtaking; the photographer understands how to capture the essence of a building. Informative, as well - did you know that River Oaks Plaza was originally called really River Oaks Community Center? This book was published in conjunction with the GHPA, and contains the names of the architects and construction dates for both familiar and often overlooked local Deco gems.If you've been good, ask Santa for a copy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmariar Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Yes - great book, and a great website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Yes - great book, and a great website.I found it interesting that the Harvey R. Houck house, pictured on above website, was a metal framed (steel) structure. When it was demolished, it looked like a twisted mess. Judging from the outside, I always assumed it was concrete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detached Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Fabulous guide book! I am glad to see that Webster High School made it into the index. Originally, it was not painted the creamy white color you see in the modern photo, but was of various colors (mostly red, with some black), based on the natural brick details/composition. It has wonderful heavy metal entry doors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted December 29, 2008 Author Share Posted December 29, 2008 One listing which came as a revelation was Gibb's, the boat sales business at the northwest corner of Montrose and W. Gray.Who knew? The original building was quite spectacular. Now, it's a monument to blandness, with only a couple of hints of its former glory still remaining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronTiger Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 Does it have the downtown Sears? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marmer Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 Does it have the downtown Sears?It has a large b/w Bob Bailey photo of the downtown Sears, similar to the ones posted here earlier, and a small color photo of its current metal-clad state from the same angle. Nice pics, but you've seen them here before. The Sears pics alone are not a reason to buy this book, but it does have lots of really good photos of little-known gems and a few recently demolished deco buildings (Coca-Cola plant, for example.) I recommend it very highly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkultra25 Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 I got my copy a few months ago at the Visitors Center on the first floor of City Hall. It's a great book that should definitely be of interest to HAIF regulars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 Saw a notice in the Chron (this past Sunday's Zest section?) that the authors will be discussing this book at the Central Library - I think it's this coming Thursday 6-8PM, but can't find a reference at either chron.com or the library's website.Edit: Found the following on HPL website:1/15/2009 6:00 PMJoin HPL and ArCH (Architecture Center Houston) for a new series featuring authors from the local architecture scene. After the readings, there will be a reception with the author at ArCH. Please call 832-393-1313 for authors. Ages: Adultsand this (from the AIA Houston website):01/15/2009 : THU : 6:00 PM Authors in Architecture presents Houston Deco: Modernist Architecture of the Texas CoastAt: HPL Downtown and ArCHA new collaborative series from The Houston Public Library and Architypes.6pm (at HPL Downtown) David Bush and Jim Parsons speak and read from their book 7pm (at ArCH) book signing and reception with the authors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmariar Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 The invitation I got mentioned that it will be on the 4th floor of the library. ArCH is at 315 Capitol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NenaE Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 (edited) Has anyone noticed the nice Schlumberger bldg. located at 2718 or 2754 Leeland? That's a nice one, not as ornate as some, but has a nice entrance. There were other Schlumberger bldgs. on the land around there, one dated 1950. Looks like all has been taken down, except for this Art Deco one. Listed as built 1938, company name: Schlumberger Well Surveying Corpn. Grooming it for lofts, I guess. Chain-link fence around it. Guess the company outgrew this facility, expanded close by, in the 1950's, on the Gulf Frwy.This one wasn't in that great Art Deco book. Edited August 24, 2009 by NenaE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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