November 26, 2009/Mid-Century Modern /by Mid-Century Mike

Modern Snapshot: St. Mary’s Church in Rockville

St. Mary’s Church in Rockville is very historic. Founded in 1813, it’s original building was built in 1817 and was the first brick Catholic church in the country. It is the oldest church in Rockville still in use and is the site of the graves of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda. In 1960, the congregation of this Georgian-style building built a new, space agey church right next door that looks like it just landed or is ready to launch. In 1966, efforts to raze the original church were blocked, now giving us this interesting and stark contrast in architectural styles.

November 26, 2009/Mid-Century Modern /by Mid-Century Mike

Giving Thanks

I wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and to say thank you for reading the past three years. I also want to thank my wife and kids for putting up with my obsession. I’ll try not to blog today, but I can’t promise.

November 23, 2009/Charles Goodman, Rock Creek Woods Silver Spring MD /by Mid-Century Mike

Vintage Goodman Advertisements

Local MCM fan and winner of Modern Capital’s recent contest Karl Ericson has put together a nice Flickr pool of vintage newspaper ads promoting homes and communities designed by Charles Goodman, including the one above heralding Rock Creek Woods. Thanks Karl.

November 21, 2009/Mid-Century Modern /by Mid-Century Mike

Modern Snapshot: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy? Building

Here is a slideshow of the 1960 American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy building at 3615 Wisconsin Ave. I like the abundance of stone, glass and tile. Still not sure who designed this. Anyone have any ideas?

November 18, 2009/Charles Goodman, Hammond Wood Kensington MD, Silver Spring Maryland /by Mid-Century Mike

Modern Snapshot: Fall in Charles Goodman’s Hammond Wood

A shot from a few days ago in Hammond Wood in Silver Spring.

November 13, 2009/Charles Goodman, Virginia /by Mid-Century Mike

Charles Goodman’s Oak Forest in Vienna

I finally found Oak Forest. It is the last of the nine Charles Goodman builder projects in the D.C. area that I had not yet seen or written about. I saw eight or so modest, one-level Goodmans with signature exterior brick fireplaces on Acorn Circle and Cedar Lane in Vienna, Va. A few other homes on Acorn may have been modified beyond recognition or replaced the original Goodmans. The one pictured above just went under contract. The 3 bedroom/1.5 bath home located here was listed at $385K. I would have taken more pictures but it was pouring. Next time.

November 8, 2009/Mid-Century Modern /by Mid-Century Mike

MCM and Southeast Asian Mix

Modern Capital’s friend Kacy from DWR Bethesda and The Inspired Office had her mid-century modern and Southeast Asian decorated pad in Silver Spring featured on Apartment Therapy. I really like the Nelson Bubble lamp sconces over the bedside tables. My wife and I have been thinking about doing that ourselves. Nice work Kacy.

November 6, 2009/Mid-Century Modern /by Mid-Century Mike

“Visual Acoustics” Premieres in D.C.

Saw “Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman” last night. Highly recommend for all D.C. modernists and those who love them. The film by Eric Bricker is at the Landmark E Street Cinema for one week. Here’s a good review by the Post‘s Philip Kennicott.

November 1, 2009/Charles Goodman, Hugh Newell Jacobsen /by Mid-Century Mike

Robert Lautman, Dean of D.C. Architectural Photographers, Dies at 85

A 1954 photo by Robert Lautman of Charles

Goodman’s renovated farmhouse in Alexandria.

(Courtesy of the National Building Museum)

Robert C. Lautman, the dean of Washington’s architectural photographers, died Oct. 20 of pancreatic cancer, the Washington Post reported. Lautman worked extensively with local modernist architects such as Charles Goodman and Hugh Newell Jacobsen. Earlier this year, Lautman reflected on his 60-year career at event hosted by the National Building Museum, which houses Lautman’s photographic archive. In 2007, Lautman received the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Gold Medal for Architectural Photography and is an honorary member of the AIA.

Month: November 2009