1950s River Oaks Mod by MacKie and Kamrath ~ see & save 1-22-2023

[SpaceAge]

January Mod of the Month Houston Mod invites you to join us this Sunday, January 22, 2023 for a Mod of the Month open house event from 2 - 4 PM. Special Addition: Master Mod Jeff Carowitz will give a brief talk about the house and architect at 3 PM.  Please help find a new preservation minded owner for this historically significant vintage modern house located in the River Oaks area, about 2 miles west of downtown Houston. Thanks to Houston MODern Market for sponsoring this FREE event.  8 Tiel Way, Houston, TX 77019  HAR Link   |   Google Map The organic concepts of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright were architect Karl Kamrath's basis for designing this splendid modern house for his family in 1949 through 1951, at the height of his career. The house, completed by 1955, is located on Tiel Way, in one of River Oaks' most picturesque yet topographically challenging areas, which resulted in the land being left to the last in the development process in time to acquire more mid-century modern based designs. Dramatic slopes and a ravine dictated the house be situated on the corner of the lot with the plan, based on a six-foot grid, corresponding to the topography. The result is one of Houston's most outstanding vintage modern houses.     Architects Frederick MacKie (1905-1984) and Karl Kamrath (1911-1988), both graduates of the University of Texas, established their firm in 1937 and were among the first to design modernist buildings in Houston.  By the late 1940s, they were Houston's best-known modern architects.  Kamrath was the firm's designer who progressively moved their style to align with the organic principles of Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian vision for the redevelopment of the United States.  Their Farnsworth and Chambers building of 1957 is now a City of Houston Protected Landmark.

News & Upcoming Events The much-anticipated Houston Mod Holiday Party was held on December 16th, at Style in Steel Townhouses.  Thanks to everyone for making it a spectacular event. Congratulations to Houston Mod Master Mod Carrie Glassman Shoemake, FAIA, who received the AIA Houston Award for Career Distinction on December 14.  This is the chapter's highest individual honor.  Thanks to everyone who attended and supported the William F. Cody Book Signing and Lecture held November 9th. A recording of the event is being edited and will soon be available.   Houston Mod has reactivated and now hosts the valuable Memorial Bend Architecture website on our website. Visit to learn more about Houston's most mod neighborhood.  What's next for Astrodome? Please visit our friends at the Astrodome Conservancy to learn more about preserving and redeveloping the eighth wonder of the world. Their shop has many fun new items to support the cause. Mission, Membership and Publications: Houston Mod is dedicated to promoting knowledge and appreciation of modern architecture and design in Houston and Texas and advocates the preservation of this cultural legacy, seeking support from its members and the general public in achieving this goal.  Houston Mod celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2023. Houston Mod is a friend organization of Docomomo US, a national non-profit organization dedicated to the Documentation and Conservation of the Modern Movement. Docomomo US has been dedicated to this mission for nearly 25 years as a chapter of Docomomo International. A single US domestic membership may be added to any Houston Mod membership for the 50% discounted Friend Organization rate of $50.00.  Houston Mod memberships and publications are available at most events.