Big 3 Industries Building Converted Into Home - 3535 W. 12th St.

[hindesky]

"In the four-year process that turned the 7,400-square-foot fourth floor of an iconic commercial building into their sprawling new home, the Kruegers could finally think about where they’d hang or display all of their art as they worked at a steady pace to gather more."

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/home-design/article/big-three-industries-houston-17682135.php#photo-23284247

I've driven by this building every time I go to the two apartment projects on 12th St.

 

[Avossos]

Loveeee

[hindesky]

Is this considered Mid Century Mod or Brutalist architecture? Architect is Mackie and Kamrath, built in 1974. It looks like it could survive a nuclear attack.

http://02db39d.netsolhost.com/citizens/whoswho/business/history26hof.htm

https://www.houstonmod.org/home/big-three-industries/

https://www.houstonmod.org/architect/mackie-and-kamrath/

 

[native_Houstonian]

My brother worked for Air Liquide.  They always referred to this building as the "bunker".

[Luminare]

On 1/21/2023 at 5:03 PM, hindesky said:

Is this considered Mid Century Mod or Brutalist architecture? Architect is Mackie and Kamrath, built in 1974. It looks like it could survive a nuclear attack.

http://02db39d.netsolhost.com/citizens/whoswho/business/history26hof.htm

https://www.houstonmod.org/home/big-three-industries/

https://www.houstonmod.org/architect/mackie-and-kamrath/

 

Wow what a cool building and project! I don't know why I've never seen this building before. Mackie and Kamrath were one of the big time firms during Houston's modernist era. Kamrath in particular was heavily influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright's brand of modernism. I can definitely see the inspiration in form, to other Frank Lloyd Wright's works (the capitals on those tall pilasters is a dead give-away). Funny that this was done in the 1970's because this was the heyday of Post-Modernism (or at least its earlier more critical movements, or I call them the "you get it!" movements).

Brutalism is very misunderstood as a movement. Some, particularly laymen, classify it as a Modernist movement, but by all evidence and theoretically it was an early Post-Modernist movement that laid a heavy critique of moderism's use of materials and simplicity. The heavy and stark use of concrete definitely makes this more Brutalist than High Modern, but its a strange blend of both! I think Kamrath never really wanted to go away from Modernism and FLW, but clearly this is an attempt to keep up with the times while maintaining his firms earlier roots and approaches. Really interesting work.

[s3mh]

I think Brutalism gets a bad rap because it was used a lot in higher education buildings in the 60s.  The architects were often instructed to make the buildings very maze like on the interior with few windows so it would be more difficult for students protesting the Vietnam war to occupy the building.  So, I think everyone since then has had the experience of being a nervous college freshman scurrying around a Brutalist building trying to find their biology 101 class.  You go down one hallway to find room 406 and the hallway snakes around going from 401 to 405 but then dead ends.  You scurry back to where you came up the elevator/stairs only to find that there are two other hallways to choose from.  Of course, you pick the wrong one and end up late for class.  

But the really great Brutalist buildings are usually very symmetrical and elegant in their design.  So, it is unfortunate that so many are introduced to Brutalist architecture through these awful college buildings with their labyrinth like hallways.

[MidCenturyMoldy]

10 hours ago, Luminare said:

Kamrath in particular was heavily influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright's brand of modernism. I can definitely see the inspiration in form, to other Frank Lloyd Wright's works (the capitals on those tall pilasters is a dead give-away). 

My first thought was FLW. It sort of has a Robie House meets Meyerland après déluge look to it.

Edited January 26, 2023 by MidCenturyMoldy

[Luminare]

2 hours ago, MidCenturyMoldy said:

My first thought was FLW. It sort of has a Robie House meets Meyerland après déluge look to it.

or Unity Temple? Its strikingly similar.

[Pleak]

On 1/21/2023 at 6:03 PM, hindesky said:

Is this considered Mid Century Mod or Brutalist architecture? Architect is Mackie and Kamrath, built in 1974. It looks like it could survive a nuclear attack.

It pretty much could.     It was designed to survive a hurricane hit (can't remember Cat 4 or Cat 5).   Backup power, living spaces etc. - was occupied 24/7.   Housed the control room for a pipeline network that could not go down ever.    

 

On 1/21/2023 at 6:03 PM, hindesky said: