Dallas Architecture Blog discusses Modern architecture and Mid Century Modern
Homes, Dallas Neighborhoods, Dallas Real Estate and the Aesthetics of the City.

The best modern homes receive attention and awards when they are first designed, continue to influence the architectural landscape, and remain compelling 25 years later. This Preston Hollow modern home designed in 1985 continues to be an example of great architecture in 2010.

Renovation Design of This Contemporary Architectural Achievement

Some architects cannot stand to see any tampering with their original work, but many of the finest and most self-confident architects do enjoy seeing a thoughtful massage of the original design. Materials, technology and client resources change. For example, sometimes an expensive standing seam copper roof has to be cut for budgetary reasons during the original construction, and then a renovation allows it to be reinstated in the design. Modern architecture draws from classic design and explores contemporary thought. Renovation allows the best ideas to survive and the others to be edited.

Gary Cunningham Designs Renovation of His Own Award Winning Architecture

What fun when an architect is invited to revisit one of his or her architectural projects. The renovation stakes are even higher when the original design is iconic, celebrated and lasting. Gary Cunningham not only accepted the invitation to design the renovation of his own work, he accepted the invitation twice from the same client. The first renovation Gary Cunningham designed included the kitchen; the second renovation design Gary Cunningham did on this modern house included the master bathroom.

Successful Renovation is the Result of a Great House, Great Architecture and a Great Client

Here on Northaven the renovation was so successful because the design had been tested by time and was very good. The client has exquisite taste, a good eye and was committed to only accentuating the original design of this modern home inspired by Mies van der Rohe’s unbuilt brick country house. The Gary Cunningham-designed renovation further enhanced the natural light and art lighting and preserved Post Modern elements that are now translated as pure modern. Magnificent pieces of stone were installed in the kitchen that was opened up. The clean lines of Carrara marble contributed to the sleek, modern master bathroom.

Sited on a Peninsula Overlooking Water

Architects love finding a great site and designing a home that reflects the beauty of the land and setting. Architect Gary Cunningham designed this home with windows overlooking the green terrain, and rooms cantilevered over the water. Here the architect explored the site and designed a home fully integrated into the natural beauty of this setting. As a real estate broker it gives me great pleasure to be able to offer for sale a home of this aesthetic quality.

The Success of the Northaven Modern Home Was Followed with Dozens of Additional Citation, Merit and Honor Awards Given by Texas Society of Architects and Dallas AIA

Here are architectural projects designed by Gary Cunningham, FAIA, including commercial buildings, sacred spaces, schools and residences that have received well deserved awards.

Texas Society of Architects Design Awards

1984 14840 Landmark Office Building, Dallas, Texas
1985 Benchmark Office Building, Longview, Texas
1989 Exhibit of Cunningham Architects at the University of Texas at Arlington
1989 Powerhouse, Dallas, Texas
1990 Steak and Ale Corporate Headquarters, Dallas, Texas
1992 Addison Conference and Theatre Center, Addison, Texas
1992 Cistercian Abbey Church, Irving, Texas
1994 4401 Travis Street Apartments, Dallas, Texas
1997 Latorre Residence, Dallas, Texas
2001 Texas Utilities Customer Service Center, Waco, Texas
2002 Casa Caja, Dallas, Texas
2005 Casa Angosta, Richardson, Texas
2005 Pump Station, Highland Park, Texas
2006 Addison Arts & Events District Pavilion, Addison, Texas
2009 House in the Garden (Nearburg Residence), Dallas, Texas

Dallas Chapter of the AIA Design Awards

1984 Benchmark Office Building, Longview, Texas, Merit Award
1984 14840 Landmark Office Building, Dallas, Texas, Merit Award
1987 Exhibit of Cunningham Architects at the University of Texas at Arlington
1988 Sesler House, Dallas, Texas, Citation Award
1989 Power House, Dallas, Texas, Honor Award
1990 Now/Then/Again, Exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, Texas, Merit Award
1990 Grace Lutheran Church, Carrollton, Texas, Merit Award
1992 Addison Conference and Theatre Center, Addison, Texas, Honor Award
1992 Temple Shalom, Epstein Chapel, Dallas, Texas, Citation Award
1993 Cistercian Abbey Church, Irving, Texas, Citation Award
1994 4401 Travis Street Apartments, Dallas, Texas, Merit Award
1995 Prince of Peace Catholic Community, Plano, Texas, Honor Award
1996 Latorre Residence, Dallas, Texas, Merit Award
1998 Cole Avenue Apartments, Dallas, Texas, Merit Award
1998 Healy House, Dallas, Texas, Citation Award
2000 TXU Service Center, Waco, Texas, Merit Award
2000 Dallas International School, Dallas, Texas, Honor Award
2001 Haggerty Art Center, Irving, Texas, Merit Award
2002 Casa Caja, Dallas, Texas, Citation Award
2003 7th Floor Gallery, JFK Museum, Dallas, Texas, Merit Award
2004 Casa Angosta, Richardson, Texas, Merit Award
2004 Addison Arts & Events District Pavilion, Addison, Texas, Honor Award
2008 House on Cedar Hill, Texas, Merit Award
2010 Wimberley Residence, Citation Award

Other Awards

1985 Longview Beautification Award for Benchmark Office Building
1986 Dallas Chapter of AIA, Young Architect of the Year Award
1987 Distinguished Architect of the Year Award, The University of Texas at
Arlington School of Architecture
1989 National Glass Association, Honor Award for the Power House
1989 Delta Sigma Tau Silver Metal Award, Texas Tech University
1989 National Curatorial Award for the Now/Then/Again Exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art
1990 International Association of Lighting Designers Award of Excellence for the Power House
1990 Illuminating Engineering Society Honor Award for the Powerhouse
1991 Illuminating Engineering Society Merit Award for Epstein Chapel
1992 Dallas Theatre Award for The Addison Centre Theatre
1994 International Association of Lighting Designers Award of Excellence for the Cistercian
Abbey Church
1994 Emerging Voices, Architectural League of New York
1995 Young Outstanding Texas Ex, The university of Texas at Austin
2003 Illuminating Engineering Society Merit Award for Sacred Space
2005 Illuminating Engineering Society IIDA Legends Award for Addison Arts & Events District
Pavilion
2006 International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) Merit Award, House in the Garden

November 6 & 7

Dan Shipley Architect

Dallas has had a proliferation of home tours since the first Swiss Avenue Home Tour in 1973. Neighborhood home tours, garden home tours, preservation home tours, and Park Cities home tour have all helped educate the public and refine the taste of those interested in good architecture. My favorite tour has become the AIA Dallas modern home tour on November 6 and 7.

Dallas Modern AIA Home Tour

Modern homes have been the most difficult to access. There are too few modern homes. Also, modern homes are usually designed by an architect for a client so these homes have not been held open like a builder holds open their spec homes for months. The Dallas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects has changed this with the AIA Dallas Tour of Homes. Here architecture aficionados and those just curious have a chance to see a well curated selection of architect designed homes. This modern home tour will give you the chance to see the latest materials and technology, different neighborhoods and locations influencing design, and the architectural approach of very talented architects.

Jim Wiley, FAIA, Designed Magnificent Modern Home in 1956 – See on Tour Magnificent Home Jim Wiley Designed in 2008

Jim Wiley Architect

Jim Wiley, FAIA, as a young architect working with Bud Oglesby, designed the celebrated Kelley house in Highland Park in 1956. Architect Jim Wiley, working with Bob Meckfessel designed this Urban Reserve home in 2008. The celebrated Kelley house received the AIA 25 Year Award during the year Bob James was Dallas AIA president and has long been considered an architectural treasure. The modern home Jim Wiley designed for Dorothea and Bart Kelley has been a cultural hub for 50 years.

Now Jim Wiley, FAIA, has designed a modern home for Gloria Wise. What Dorothea Kelley was to chamber music, Gloria Wise was to architecture. For years Gloria Wise was the incredibly successful and influential executive director of the Dallas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. She educated, nurtured, encouraged architects and patrons, and was constantly linking people and promoting good architecture.

It is fantastic that we will be able to see the most recent work of Jim Wiley. I am confident this modern home at 33 Vanguard Way will also become an iconic achievement. The home will be open November 6 and 7, 2010.

Architect Nick Glazbrook Designs for Josey Cooner Collins and Marty Collins

Nick Glazbrook Architect

Nick Glazbrook is an established, talented and decorated architect who has collaborated with Josey Cooner of Scott+Cooner and Marty Collins, the developer of the W in Dallas. All three have made a significant impact on Dallas and you will have a chance to see the Collins residence at 8205 Forest Hills Boulevard on the AIA Dallas Tour of Homes.

Dan Shipley Architect

Dan Shipley Architect

Architect Dan Shipley has received Dallas AIA and TSA Awards. Dan Shipley is not a prolific architect but every one of his modern residences is meritorious which makes being able to see the home at 1550 Stemmons Avenue and 25 Vanguard Way very exciting.

Patrick Alexander, AIA

Patrick Alexander Architect

Architect Patrick Alexander has consistently done strong modernist work and continues to show his ability with the modern home he designed at 3156 Brookhollow Drive.

Architects Hammers + Partners

Hammers + Partners Architecture

Hammers + Partners have had an amazing impact on Kessler Woods. Kessler Woods, a collection of modern homes, has drawn attention from across the country. Many of Dallas’s finest architects have designed homes here, but arguably Hammers + Partners have made the greatest contribution.

Susan Appleton

Susan Appleton Architect

There has been much excitement about the home Susan Appleton designed at 5707 Del Roy Drive and this will be an interesting modern home to see.

bloc-Design Syndicate with Joshua Nimmo, AIA, LEED AP, Stephanie Saunders, LEED AP, Alan Kagan

Joshua Nimmo Architect

There is a great confluence of talent that designed 4414 and 4418 Rusk Avenue. One’s expectations are heightened to see the recent work of Joshua Nimmo, Stephanie Saunders and Alan Kagan on this year’s AIA Dallas Tour of Homes.

Enjoy the 2010 AIA Dallas Tour of Homes

You may buy tickets at the door of any of these homes on tour.

Ron Wommack and Client Discover Location

What Ron Wommack and his client realized was this rather dowdy spur of houses on very high ground adjacent to an abandoned railroad track would soon be a site overlooking the Santa Fe Trail, a running, walking, bicycling trail from White Rock Lake to Fair Park. What was a lesser street now became a very desirable hidden street relating to the Santa Fe Trail.

Homes Either Diminish or Enhance a Site

Often locations are overlooked. Just as often a commonplace home is designed and built on beautiful land that diminishes the site. I have seen houses built next to a ravine, creek or a small lake with the master bedroom closet or garage on the water side of the house because that is what the plans called for, anticipating a generic lot, or the architect designed using only the lot dimensions not taking into consideration the surroundings.

The Best Homes Accentuate A Site

The Late Robert James, FAIA, former president of the Dallas Chapter, AIA, found a small irregular lot with difficult terrain rejected by all builders. James designed a modern home configured to the lot and still with vast views of green that gave one the sense that you were on a very large piece of property.

Ron Wommack Designed Home Reinterprets Location

The old traditional homes are classically lined up facing the street, and the ones with balconies or porches are facing away from the railroad tracks at the bottom of the ravine. Now the Santa Fe tracks have been removed and the Santa Fe Trail is being constructed. The orientation of the house still has a front forward facade the street with full length corner window walls providing a view of the Santa Fe Trail and park, but the orientation of the home is towards the trail and surrounding wooded areas.

The front door opens to an exterior corridor paneled with the trail that leads past walls of glass to the front door on the side of the house. A first floor screened porch and balcony porches are also oriented towards the new Santa Fe Park and Trail. A wall for art and with a few windows is on the side of the house towards the residential cut-through street a few houses away.

This modern home will transform this corridor of short streets.

Some successful architect designed modern homes stand alone in a one-off location. Other architect designed contemporary homes have the ability to transform an entire area.

Visually attractive and interesting modern homes attract attention.

People start thinking about architecture in a new way and the people start thinking about the location in a new way.

Dallas AIA Modern Tour

As interest in modern homes increases, an expanded audience drives ever increasing number of home tours emphasizing modern homes. The Dallas Chapter of AIA selects modern homes across the city which allows the public to learn about architecture and about Dallas neighborhoods. Most people did not even know this home existed before the Dallas AIA tour. Those on tour loved the home and loved the location. The word spreads, aspirations grow and we will soon discover many new great modern homes on the Santa Fe Trail.

The sophisticated client whose life has always revolved around art and architecture has accumulated many friends deeply involved in the arts and the city of Dallas. What better way to start the year than a New Year’s Day party in a fabulous modern home surrounded by the homeowner’s appreciative friends reveling in this architectural success and contribution to Dallas.

See additional photographs of this Ron Womack desined modern home on FaceBook.com/modernhomes.

World Architecture

I was pleased to learn that Online Classes recently identified Dallas Architecture Blog as one of the “100 Innovative Blogs for Architecture Students” and one of only twenty within the category of “Architecture Around the World.” Here’s what Online Classes said about the Dallas Architecture Blog: “Arguably the most design-forward city in Texas, Dallas lines its streets and skyline with contemporary architecture and ideas. Check them out here.”

Dallas Architectural Wasteland or Treasure

For years, many dismissed Dallas as an architectural wasteland. I think there are three possible reasons behind that: the images presented in the Dallas television show; the impressions that visitors get as they fly over the neighborhoods near DFW International Airport; and the fact that relocation companies tend to send relocating executives to the most generic suburban neighborhoods. However, the truth is, many homebuyers are choosing to move to Dallas instead of other cities because of the rich reserve of significant architecture.

Architecturally Significant Homes

My real estate firm specializes in architecturally significant homes, modern homes and estate homes for two reasons. One is to identify the finest homes for buyers desiring a home of architectural and aesthetic quality and importance. The other purpose is to bring attention to great architecture and architects in Dallas and to highlight influences from architects across the country that inform Dallas architecture. When people understand their aesthetic environment and the many positive possibilities, better choices are made and the aesthetic landscape continues to improve.

Dallas Has Greatest Collection of 20th Century Architecture in the Country

Dallas has the greatest collection of 20th century architecture and a great start in the 21st century. Thanks to the abundance of good architecture in Dallas, my Web site, ArchitecturallySignificantHomes.com and my Dallas Architecture Blog typically come up first when architectural enthusiasts conduct an internet search of terms such as “architecturally significant homes,” “historically significant homes,” “modern homes,” “mid-century homes.” As a result, I have received correspondence from around the world. Authors, professors, students, architects, homeowners and homebuyers have contacted me to discuss Dallas architecture.

The City Benefits, My Clients Benefit

My clients benefit because they know I will understand what they like, what they want and how to get it. As people become more aware of good architecture and are able to find homes featuring significant architecture, the demand for good homes increases and demand for generic builder homes decreases. The more this happens, the more the city of Dallas benefits.

Advocates of good architecture have been great advocates of my business. Clients and friends recognize the role they play as champions for good architecture, beautiful neighborhoods and a vibrant city.

Even if you can’t hire an architect or design a spectacular estate home, you can help promote high-quality architecture in your community. Everyone does know someone who is considering buying or building a home. Join me in recommending your family or friends to use an architect or to buy a home with enduring architectural value. And when you know a person who is considering selling a historic or period modern home, urge them to put measures in place to preserve that home. In my experience, almost every property will sell for more if buyers are made aware of the home’s architectural features – as opposed to simply selling a property as a” teardown” sold for lot value. I am always delighted to discuss with property owners the best way to preserve and perpetuate their property and obtain the best price when the time comes.

The Interest in Architecture and Architect Designed Homes Keeps Increasing – The Dallas Architecture Blog Will Keep Discussing

When OnlineClasses.org discussed the types of blogs they selected, they explained, “The 100 blogs selected encompass the array of fields and specialties within the world of architecture.” OnlineClasses.com asks the viewer “to research and enjoy the art behind landscaping and green buildings; take a step into the future with modernism, or look into the past at classical European design. Whatever you do, be inspired.”

This is exactly the intent of the Dallas Architecture Blog – to research, discover, enjoy and be inspired. Hosting this blog and Web site has been fun, because so many people are passionate about architecture.

We will continue our efforts and thank you for your interest and support.

Remember, architecture is our public art.

I often see the same families purchase, renovate or build a succession of increasingly architecturally significant homes. While a person cannot collect homes in the same way that a collector can acquire paintings or sculpture, the instinct is the same. The curiosity, passion and desire to live in and around extraordinary beauty and profound design is the same whether for a collector of art or a patron of architecture. In future blog articles I will discuss some of the great family lineages of owners of significant architect designed homes, both modern and eclectic.

International Style Home

Here we see an International Style home designed for a young couple with five children. The couple hired James Nagle, a graduate of Stanford with an architecture degree from MIT and a co-founder of the Chicago architecture firm Nagle Hartray. Built in 1976, this home in Bent Tree was the finest example of International Style architecture since Stanley Marcus had Roscoe Dewitt design his International Style home in 1937. Set on two acres along a greenbelt, this modern home is sleek, stark and yet comfortable for a family. Some think that clean-lined and hard-edged modern is only appropriate for highrises, urban couples or fastidious style makers. This modern home in Far North Dallas shows that a home can have a compelling design, a pastoral setting, bedrooms for multiple children, expansive yards, gardens, pools and courts to accommodate activities of families and friends. The result is a home dramatic for entertaining, utilitarian for a family and aesthetically attractive through the decades.

The same couple, when the children were grown, again hired architect James Nagle in collaboration with Robert Neylan to design another modern home. This home combined the latest technology, building materials and construction techniques with timeless and more accessible materials and fixtures. Where modern houses are often associated with isolated locations, modern residential parks, or clusters in urban locations, this modern home is right at home in the leafy and traditional suburb of Highland Park.

While the architect was sensitive to the setbacks and scale of the homes designed in a European tradition around them, this home exudes modernity. As you approach the front door you begin to experience a subtle and sublime transformation, a different environment, one that is familiar, but expressed in such a new way. A compilation of stainless steel, teak and granite and Belgian glass continues that aura as you enter. A visitor in the home feels exhilaration and tranquility at the same time. At 10,000 square feet, the size of this Highland Park Translucens House is somewhat larger than the Bent Tree home, but occupies a much smaller parcel of land. As a result, the Highland Park house does not look outward in the same way that the Bent Tree house does, but looks inward into a courtyard. The view of the street is restrained by translucent glass that can be darkened for more privacy Extra bedrooms were eliminated, and additional space was allowed for returning family members in the form of vertically and horizontal open galleries, courtyards, and public spaces bridged by glass and connected by stairs.

Here is an example of two homes created for the same family: same architect, different needs and different settings, but both modern homes that continue to earn appreciation, credibility and applause.

See Bent Tree modern home Future Offering

Highland Park and Dallas Preservation Plans

I’m excited to report that residents of Dallas and Highland Park have two new avenues for historic preservation of their homes. One is a proposed new initiative in Highland Park that should be in place by early 2010; the other is an effort to expand the presence of an existing national program to the entire Dallas area. Together, these important preservation tools will give property owners additional protections for the exterior of their homes, in ways that protect their home into the future.

Property Owners Have Sole Right to Add Preservation Protection

With most preservation tools – such as local ordinances, preservation districts, etc. – restrictions or requirements are imposed on individual property owners by the neighborhood, community or government. However, the preservation tools coming to Dallas are different because homeowners can initiate restrictions on their own property.

Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society, and Trust for Architectural Easements

By coincidence, I had two appointments fall on the same Monday – breakfast with Dan Reardon of the Trust for Architectural Easements, who was in Dallas for a two-day exploratory visit, and lunch with Marian Ann Montgomery of the Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society to discuss preservation in the Park Cities.

Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society

Marian Ann Montgomery and the Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society are working with the town of Highland Park on a historic preservation ordinance that would allow individual homeowners to submit their property for designation as a protected structure. The town of Highland Park will participate by managing and enforcing the ordinance of the properties accepted for protected status.

This approach is really quite brilliant because no districts or ordinances – historic, conservation or teardown – are crammed down the throats unwilling homeowners. This preservation ordinance will only apply to properties put into place at the request of the property owner. Architecturally significant Highland Park homes will be preserved, architectural prestige enhanced, and momentum generated for maintaining the architectural landscape of Highland Park. Highland Park township resources will be better employed on preserving significant structures rather than imposing unwanted restrictions on non-receptive property owners.

Trust for Architectural Easements

Don Reardon was in town as part of an exploratory visit for the Trust for Historical Easements, which is looking to make Dallas a major part of its efforts. This trust has been very successful this decade in receiving façade easements and protecting the future of these buildings, both residential and commercial. Here again, this preservation measure is deployed by the property owner, assisted by the Trust and acknowledged by the Department of the Interior, which grants a 3% – 17% tax deduction for the donated façade. Characteristically a property owner donates the façade easement to the Trust for Architectural Easements after the Trust helps the property owner place the property on the National Register of Historic Places. The Trust then owns and controls the façade and the property owner receives a tax deduction in the 3% – 17% of the building’s value, most often around 10% of the home’s value.

Members of the Trust for Historical Easements have identified Dallas as an area with great houses and great architecture, with people interested in preserving it. I think that’s exciting.

Architectural Patrons and Philanthropists

These preservation incentives will resonate with architectural patrons, philanthropists and those people who love the aesthetic landscape of Highland Park and the Dallas area. Donating a façade easement to protect the architecture in perpetuity is much the same as donating a piece of art to a museum – except the donor doesn’t have to worry about the architecturally significant home being put in storage. Architecture is our public art. Often, more people will see the front of an architecturally significant house than will see a painting or sculpture in a museum. Dallas is a city of patrons and philanthropists that astound the rest of the world with their giving. These preservation tools provide yet another avenue to improve our community through giving.

Owners Who Are Already Protecting and Preserving Their Homes

We know that there is an audience for these types of voluntary preservation tools because we are already seeing great citizens protect their homes. Whether these homeowners elect to participate in one of these programs or elect to take a tax deduction is irrelevant because measures are already in place to preserve the architecture.

Stanley Marcus Home

Years ago, the Lovvorn family of Dallas initiated historic designation for their home, which was formerly owned by Stanley Marcus. They have accepted landmark status and are in the process of doing further renovation.

Edward Durell Stone Designed Home

Owners of one of the great American modern homes of the 20th century, Jennifer and John Eagle, retained architect Russell Buchanan for a masterful renovation of this Edward Durell Stone designed home. They are making plans to preserve the home for future generations.

John Allen Boyle Designed Home on Overhill

Few eclectic homes have a façade as distinctive as this home designed by John Allen Boyle, who was also the architect for The Mansion on Turtle Creek. Denny and Connie Carreker have been relentless about renovating and protecting this home, including putting the original parcels of land back together.

Scott Lyons Designed Home

This Highland Park home, one of the most important homes designed by Scott Lyons (and one much loved by the community) will be given to an important foundation so that it may be preserved and used in much the same way it has been over the last 50 years.

Fooshee and Cheek Designed Home

Jack Knox has made one of the most dramatic revisions on a home on Armstrong Parkway people now love.

Many Successful Preservation Efforts in Dallas

There have been many successful preservation efforts in Dallas. The nation’s most successful neighborhood revitalization occurred in what are now Dallas’ historic districts. The city possesses an abundance of conservation districts. We’ve had mixed success with a teardown ordinance – that may have created more acrimony than value. But most importantly, I’m seeing increasing interest in architecture and preservation. And I’m heartened by these two new preservation tools, with their potential to further protect architecturally significant homes and to assist homeowners in preserving great properties into the future.