October 31, 2010/Mid-Century Modern /by Mid-Century Mike

Finnish Embassy Highlights Saarinen’s Work in Washington

Dulles International Airport Terminal, Chantilly, Virginia, circa 1963. © Balthazar Korab Ltd.

To mark the 100th anniversary of Eero Saarinen’s birth year (Aug. 20, 2010), the Finnish Embassy is hosting a free exhibit at the embassy until Nov. 28. The exhibit, “Eero Saarinen: A Reputation for Innovation,” is free and open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sundays. The exhibition is a tribute to Saarinen’s work in Washington, which began with the 1939 winning design (with Charles Eames and Ralph Rapson) for the Smithsonian Gallery of Art, a modern art museum on the Mall that was never built, and ended with the nation’s first jet airport, Dulles International Airport. Dulles was completed one year after Saarinen’s death on Sept. 1, 1961 at the age of 51. Saarinen also spent time in D.C. during the war years as the head of the Office of Strategic Services’ Presentation Division responsible for all exhibits work. One of his jobs while at OSS was designs for the Situation Room at the White House. Looks like a good opportunity to learn more about some of Saarinen’s less publicized work and to check out Finland’s modern embassy.

October 28, 2010/Charles Goodman /by Mid-Century Mike

The Goodman House: A Mid-Century Modern-Victorian Blend

If you did not go out to see Charles Goodman’s home in Alexandria last weekend, it is open again this Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. (I’m also doing an open house at my Goodman listing in Rock Creek Woods in Maryland if the asking price of $1.249 million for Goodman’s own home is too steep).

I’m glad I finally got a chance to visit the home after all these years of reading and writing about Goodman. The house is really an interesting marriage of the old and new.

The existing two story house behind the one-level modernist addition.

Where old house and new house meet.

While Goodman kept the existing Victorian farmhouse, he clad the structure in his signature T-1-11 siding to match the glass box addition. He also installed massive plate glass windows (not see in the picture below) in the farmhouse to give it a modern feel.

The original farmhouse clad in T-1-11 siding, a plywood that simulates tongue-and-groove siding.

The use of stone and wood ceilings is impressive and gives the house a warm feel. Except for a few touches like the old farmhouse doors, the transition from the modern addition to the original structure is relatively seamless.

The main highlight of the house is the large glass-walled modern addition that serves as the entrance and expansive living room. The space feels the most Goodmanesqe and you see the influence of Mies, whose work was an inspiration to Goodman. I wished that the original St. Charles cabinets were not painted over in black, but with some elbow grease they can be restored to their original color.

October 15, 2010/Mid-Century Modern /by Mid-Century Mike

Modernist Rental Getaways

Modernists going on vacation or looking for a once-in-a-lifetime getaway often have a hard time finding the right place to stay. Is Le Corbusier more your style than Conrad Hilton? If it is, check out the webiste, boutique homes, which promotes dozens of modern homes for rent by the likes of yes, Corbusier, Alberty Frey and Frank Lloyd Wright. Modern Capital sponsor Lost River Modern, a modern pre-fab “cabin” on 30 acres in Lost River, West Virginia by Resolution: 4 Architecure, also is on the site here.

October 10, 2010/Mid-Century Modern /by Mid-Century Mike

Julius Shulman Day: 10-10-10

View from inside the Stahl House.

Julius Shulman was born 100 years ago today. The legendary photographer, who died last year on July 15 at the age of 98, played an instrumental role in capturing on film the essence and beauty of mid-century modern architecture for all to see and appreciate. So to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth, I am picking some of my favorite shots where I tried to channel the spirit of Shulman. (See the film Visual Acoustics for more inspiration.) I think my favorite is the shot of the Stahl House below, which Shulman made famous with his iconic image of two young woman sitting in the corner of the cantilevered home dangling off a cliff high above Los Angeles. Just to note: If you have $2 million, you can buy Shulman’s Raphael Soriano-designed home in Los Angeles, which has been on the market for almost a year.

The Stahl House by Pierre Koenig, Los Angeles.

The Eames House by Ray and Charles Eames, Pacific Palisades.

The Beverly Hilton by Welton Becket, Bevery Hills.

The Lever House by Gordon Bunshaft, New York City.

Irwin Union Trust by Eero Saarinen, Columbus, Ind.

River Park by Charles Goodman, Southwest D.C.

October 7, 2010/Rock Creek Woods Silver Spring MD /by Mid-Century Mike

Open House Picks for Sunday

I'm holding my Goodman listing in Rock Creek Woods open on Oct. 10 from 12-3 p.m.

The price on my Charles Goodman listing in Rock Creek Woods has dropped another $20,000 to $519K. I will be holding an open house this Sunday (Oct. 10) from 12 to 3 p.m. The 5 bedroom/3 bath home is the only Goodman currently on the market in Montgomery County, so come on out and take a look. Read more here.

Here are some other interesting mid-century modern homes open on Sunday. Take a look at this 1964 modern on more than an acre in Mt. Washington in Baltimore listed for $565K. If you are searching in Virginia, take a look at this 1955 mid-century in Lake Barcroft that I wrote about here. Looking in D.C., check out this new listing in the Palisades for a 1979 contemporary with an open, modern interior.

Located in a peaceful setting of mature trees in the National Register of Historic Places-designated neighborhood of Rock Creek Woods, this 1959 mid-century modern was designed by one of the 20^th Century’s leading modern architects, Charles Goodman. The central focus of the two-level, 5 bedroom/3 bath home is the second-floor open living area. The expansive space features Goodman’s signature large brick fireplace, beautiful refinished hardwoods and wall of glass that allows for unfettered views of the trees, including the explosion of cherry blossoms in the spring. A large, wood deck allows you to enjoy the .2 acre lot and surrounding nature.

The home’s upper level features 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, including master suite. The open, updated kitchen-dining area features Corian countertops and breakfast bar and wall of glass overlooking the deck. The lower-level features a large den with fireplace, two bedrooms, a full bathroom and large utility/laundry room with sink. The entranceway reflects the home’s mid-century pedigree with walls of glass, slate floor and dramatic open stairway. As part of a National Register of Historic Places-designated neighborhood, the home is eligible for tax credits for approved qualified interior and exterior rehabilitation work.

Located just outside the Beltway, the home is close to the shops, restaurants and MARC in Kensington, the Wheaton Metro and Beltway access off Connecticut Avenue. It is also located close to the popular cycling/running trail and playgrounds along Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park.

October 4, 2010/Charles Goodman /by Mid-Century Mike

Goodman’s Mid-Century Modern Houston House to be Renovated

Charles Goodman's Houston House is getting a $10 million face-lift.

Charles Goodman is most well known for Hollin Hills and Hickory Cluster in Virgina, River Park in Southwest and other mid-century modern communities here in the D.C. area. Similar to his high-rise apartment block in River Park (see below), Goodman also designed the 1960s Houston House Apartment building in downtown Houston. The 31-story building (click for images), which sits on top of a multi-level parking garage, was one of the first downtown high-rises in the city at the time. Goodman’s work is set to get its first major face lift since opening in 1966, the Houston Chronicle reported. The paper (which attributes the building to the Kirksey architecture firm and not Goodman) says the owner will spend $10 million on work in the building. It sounds like some of the work will alter Goodman’s mid-century touches while other efforts will restore one of its hallmark vintage features, its dark exterior. The original exterior color was black, perhaps similar to River Park. It is now tan. The ninth-floor nightclub and its wood-paneled bar is being replaced with a fitness center, game room and business center. The lobby, which was renovated in the 1980s, will supposedly get a makeover with more mid-century style touches.

A view of Goodman's River Park apartment block in Southwest from one of his townhomes.

Month: October 2010